July 4th 2014

ICSA suckler committee chairman Dermot Kelleher has advised farmers to select weanlings carefully for sale in order to maximise return.

“With prices as low as they are at present, I’d advise farmers to hand-pick weanlings for sale as they reach the target weight,” said Mr. Kelleher. “While this may seem less efficient than taking a whole batch to the mart, there’s no point in seeing your average price driven down further by lighter animals in the group.”

“While top quality E grade weanlings for export are ideal at 330/340kgs, the majority of weanlings should be sold between 370kg and 400kg. It’s not advisable to keep them much beyond 400kg as demand for very heavy weanlings is weaker at present. Farmers should also keep their best grass for cows with calves, as lower quality grazing is fine for dry cows.”