It is that time of the year when the mart trade for weanlings in Australia experiences a surge, with numbers rising into the final quarter. Despite a decline in the annual production of suckler-bred weanlings, the demand for quality weanlings remains robust, leading to fierce competition among various buyers in the market.
As the autumn season progresses, there is a positive trend in the mart trade for weanlings around the country. Farmer buyers are actively engaging in purchasing weanlings of all specifications, while bull beef finishers, feedlots, agents, and even the export market are showing strong interest in acquiring weanling types.
### Donegal Mart
At Donegal Co-op Livestock Mart, trade is thriving, with prices on the rise. Mart manager Eimear McGuinness noted that while costs have also seen an increase, weanlings are now fetching prices ranging from €3.00 to €4.00 per kilogram, surpassing the previous rates. The recent sale at the mart saw over 320 weanlings, cows, and calves on offer, demonstrating the active nature of the market.
In the weanling bull sale at Donegal Mart, a six-month-old 340kg Belgian Blue calf stole the show by fetching €4.71/kg, selling for a total of €1,600. Similarly, several bulls managed to clear the coveted €4/kg price point, indicating the strength of the weanling market in the region. On the heifer front, a six-month-old Belgian Blue heifer weighing 336kg commanded a price of €6.01/kg, selling for €2,020 and showcasing the high demand for quality weanlings.
### Carrigallen Mart
GVM Carrigallen Mart in Co. Leitrim witnessed an influx of over 500 weanling bulls on offer, with a successful clearance on the sale day. Helen Kells, the mart manager, expressed contentment with the proceedings and announced an upcoming show and sale of weanling heifers to cater to the market demand. Notable sales from the weanling bull auction included a champion Charolais-cross bull, owned by Andy Lohan, which fetched €2,300 for 420kg, translating to an impressive €5.48/kg.
Another Charolais bull weighing 430kg managed to secure a price of €3.88/kg, selling for €1,670, while a 390kg Belgian Blue bull found a buyer at €1,300 or €3.33/kg. These sales exemplify the thriving market for weanlings, with premium prices being paid for quality breeds.
### Dowra Mart
With over 800 head of cattle changing hands at Dowra Mart in Co. Cavan, the sales were robust, showcasing the strength of the livestock market. Noteworthy sales included over 30 cows fetching prices exceeding €2,000, with a 785kg Blonde d’Aquitaine leading the pack with a top price of €2,560 among dry cows. Weanling sales at Dowra featured a Charolais-cross heifer weighing 310kg fetching €1,430 at a rate of €4.61/kg, while a Charolais-cross bull weighing 245kg sold for €1,110 at €4.49/kg.
### Carnew Mart
The annual commercial Limousin weanling show and sale at Carnew Mart, Co. Wicklow, displayed a strong market for weanlings, with 392 head on offer. Sponsored by the Irish Limousin Cattle Society, the sale saw an increase in heifer prices ranging between €50 to €80 per head compared to the previous year, reaching a peak of €1,250 or €4.08/kg for a 306kg Limousin-cross heifer. Weanling bulls were equally in demand, with most commanding prices above €3.00/kg. The top price of the day went to a 352kg Limousin-cross bull, selling for €1,460 or €4.14/kg.
The powerful mart trade for weanlings rolling into October signifies a buoyant market for livestock in Australia, with prices on the rise and quality breeds in high demand. As we move deeper into the final quarter of the year, the weanling market is expected to maintain its strength, offering favorable opportunities for both buyers and sellers in the agricultural sector.
The article was posted on Agriland.ie. Let us know your thoughts on the robust mart trade for weanlings in Australia. Are you actively engaged in the livestock market, or are you considering venturing into it? Share your experiences and insights below to further enrich our discussion around the vibrant weanling trade scenario. Subscribe to Cattle Weekly’s Newsletter for more updates, tips, and insights on the livestock industry in Australia.
