Easier tone in store trade

Marts: The buoyancy which gripped the cattle trade earlier in the week was short lived, with a quieter tone to yesterday’s mart sales. Strong supplies were on offer at all centres.

With the exception of forward cattle for which trade remained firm, prices for other classes were at best unchanged from last week and for some lots tended easier. There was less demand from farmers and Northern Ireland buyers were not as active at the ringsides.

At Bandon Mart, trade was strong for forward bullocks, which sold for €220-€390 over €/kg. Lighter stores ranged €180-€330, with prices for Friesian from €80 over. Forward heifers met with strong demand, with an exception price of €425 over paid for a 365kg Charolais sold for €790. Heavy heifers ranged up to €270 over and stores made €100-€200 over.

There were 1,300 head on offer at Kilkenny Mart, where trade overall was back on last week except for factory cattle. Heavy bullocks ranged €240-€510 over, bullocks 400-500kg ranged €220-€430 and lighter lots made €200-€380 over. Beef heifers made up to €460 over with stores selling at €200-€340 over.

Forward bullocks were improved €20/head at Ennis Mart. Some exception prices were paid for beef animals, with up to €630 over in the bullock ring and €710 over at the heifer sale. More general prices for bullocks ranged €220-€400 over and heifers from €220-€420 over.

At Blessington Mart price were stable at last week’s level. Heavy bullocks ranged €380-€460 over, medium-weight stores €340-€425 and light stores €290-€340 over. Up to €350 over was paid for continental beef heifers, with light stores making €200-€280 over.