The strong rise in beef prices is filtering into the cattle prices being paid at marts countrywide.

Looking at the top-end of the trade, bullock prices over 500kg have crossed the €5.00/kg price mark while weanling heifers reached €8.29/kg and cull cows have cleared €3,500 at mart sales around the country in the past few days.

While these are the prices at the top-end of the trade, the average prices in each weight category have also increased.

With demand for store cattle expected to increase in the coming weeks as the grazing season approaches and no major upsets forecast in the factory beef trade, all indications point to a continued strengthening of cattle prices for the short term at least.

Mohill Mart in Co. Leitrim hosted its annual series of Monaghan Day sales over the first half of this month (February), with the final Monaghan Day dry cow sale set for this coming Saturday, February 22.

Speaking to Agriland, Mohill Mart manager Darragh Barden said: "Prices are up €300-400/head across all types of cattle at this year's Monaghan Day sales when compared to prices from these sales last year."

In the bullock sale there were over 560 head on offer with an average price of €2,135/head or €3.85/kg achieved. The top price in this sale went to a 780kg Charolais bullock that made that made €3.85/kg or €3,000.

Weanling heifers in the Leitrim mart venue peaked at €8.29/kg for a 280kg Limousin-cross heifer that made €2,330. The average price in this sale was €4.05/kg or €1,385/head for weanling heifers with the tops making over €5/kg.

The beef store and breeding heifer sale featured over 500 heifers with a top price of €3,300 on the day for an 805kg Charolais-cross heifer. The overall average price in this sale was €3.70/kg or €1,880/head.

In the weanling bull sale, the top price was paid for a 615kg Limousin-cross bull that made €2,860 or €4.65/kg.

The average price on the day was €1,610 or €4.35/kg with weanling bulls topping at €6/kg and over 50 bull calves making over €2,000 at the Co. Leitrim mart venue.

Carnaross Mart in Co. Meath hosted its weekly bullock sale on Monday, February 18, with prices for bullocks over 500kg surpassing €5.00/kg.

A 505kg Limousin-cross bullock sold for €2,540 or €5.03/kg with another lighter 465kg Charolais-cross bullock making €2,170 or €4.67/kg.

A heavier 750kg Charolais bullock sold for €3,020 or €4.03/kg with another 720kg Limousin bullock making €2,900, also €4.03/kg.

Cull cows peaked at €3,580 in Carnew Mart, Co. Wicklow on Friday, February 14, with a 1,104kg Belgian Blue-cross cow making €3,580 or €3.24/kg, and another 852kg Limousin cow making €3.71/kg or €3,160.

Commenting on the level of customer activity at the mart venue, Carnew Mart's Eugene Clune said: "Factory agents, wholesalers and northern customers are in attendance weekly and these buyers as well as the farmer customers are all very eager to secure stock."

There were 400 weanling heifers on offer along with the general cattle sale at Dowra Mart in Co. Cavan on Saturday, February 16, with €7.52/kg or €2,820 paid for a 375kg Belgian Blue-cross weanling heifer.

Weanling bulls reached €2,500 for a 515kg Belgian Blue bull calf while heavy heifers reached €2,730 for for a 680kg Charolais-cross heifer.

Cull cows at the Co. Cavan mart venue reached €3,360 for a 920kg Charolais-cross cow

Stay tuned to Agriland for further updates on cattle prices from marts and factories across the country.