Ennis Mart weanling prices ease as exporter demand stays weak
At the weekly weanling sale at Ennis Mart in Co. Clare, Ireland, on 10 November, 730 cattle were offered and prices slipped slightly. The mart manager pointed to subdued exporter activity and more variable quality.
Ennis Mart, a livestock market in Co. Clare in western Ireland, held its weekly weanling sale on Tuesday, 10 November, with 730 head of cattle on offer. The prices matter to farmers because they reflect demand for young cattle that are raised on for finishing or export. The sale saw a 98% clearance, but prices continued to ease.
Mart manager Martin McNamara acknowledged that the weanling trade is "back a bit overall". By his account, prices had been slipping gradually over the previous few weeks. A similar number of cattle is expected at next week's sale.
Price movements
McNamara explained that bull weanlings were back by about 10c/kg on average over the week, while weanling heifers dropped by 10-15c/kg. Quality was described as more variable, with plainer lots harder to sell. Export buyer activity remained subdued, and he said he hoped the situation would be sorted out in time.
Among the examples from the sale, four Charolais bulls averaging 278kg sold for €1,780 (€6.41/kg), and a Belgian Blue bull weighing 400kg made €2,150 (€5.37/kg). A 480kg Charolais bull sold for €2,680 (€5.58/kg). Among heifers, two Charolais averaging 270kg sold for €1,380 (€5.11/kg), a 390kg Limousin heifer made €2,080 (€5.33/kg), and a 455kg Hereford heifer sold for €1,490 (€3.28/kg).
Other cattle
There was also a good entry of quality sucklers, with pairs selling for up to €4,450 and in-calf lots reaching €2,620. McNamara said runner numbers are starting to get smaller; quality lots are still holding a good trade, while plainer lots are back a shade.
