Flying trade at big mart sales

Marts: There was a strong export trade for quality young stores, which sent prices soaring for the tops of the suitable lots on offer at the mart sales yesterday where numbers of cattle on offer reached record levels.

Kanturk Mart recorded its biggest ever sale of cattle, which went on until after 7pm with “outstanding demand” for all types of cattle.

Selling was still in progress at Fermoy Mart after 7pm, with an improved trade for a big entry of cattle, while Ennis Mart also had a big entry of stock yesterday.

Quality bull and heifer weanlings in the 300-400kg range sold for up to €630 over €/kg with exceptional lots selling for more than €1,000/head.

The strong export demand has added to increased activity among farmers, who are now coming out in larger numbers buying cattle for the grass at least a month later than normal, because of the scarcity of grass on farms with the late growth.

Ennis Mart topped the prices for the day with strong competition for a big entry of weanlings. Bull weanlings ranged €200 over to €628 over, with heifers making €220 over to €630 over. The top prices were €1,030 for a 400kg Charolais heifer and €950 for a 322kg Belgian Blue bull. The general run of prices for bulls was €250-450 over, with most heifers selling at €260-400 over e/kg.

Heavy bullocks made €140-335 over at Kanturk, with 400-500kg bullocks making up to €350 over. Up to €265 over was paid for heavy heifers and stores made up to €200 over. Forward store bullocks made up to €420 over at Fermoy, medium weights €160-€390 over and light stores €150-330 over. A lot of five Charolais weighing 508kg sold for €930, two Herefords at 480kg made €870, and two 510kg Limousins sold for €930.

There was a very strong trade for quality heifers. Heavy heifers ranged €240-330 over, with stores making €80-285 over.