Improved store cattle trade at mart

THERE is an improved trade for cattle at the marts with the quality animals recovering most of the recent dip in prices as farmers return to the ringsides.

The improvement in the weather this week has helped the trade with the quality store bullocks and heifers showing gains of €20 — €30 a head, with stronger demand from farmers.

The trade for calves has slipped at the marts this week and cows are also a quieter trade in line with the weaker factory prices as the shine goes off a trade which has had an excellent run.

Up to €430 over was paid for the heavy beef bullocks at Kanturk yesterday, prices ranging back to €200 over. Forward bullocks made €185 over the plain lots up top €325 for quality and light store bullocks sold at €140 — €250 over. There was a strong trade for beef heifers which ranged €120 -€275 over, stores under 300kgs making €120 — €200 over.

There was a big sale of 1,000 cattle at Fermoy yesterday. Forward store bullocks made €160 — €330 over €/kg, medium weights ranging €170 over for plain cattle to €410 over for quality. Light stores made up to €300 over. Trade for beef heifers was steady.

Bullocks and heifers were steady at last week’s prices at Kilmallock where prices were not maintained for calves and dry cows. The heavy bullocks sold at €200 — €400 over and 400 — 500kgs stores made from €180 over for plain lots to €350 over for quality. Beef heifers sold at €100 — €250 over.

Quality bullocks and heifers were an improved trade at Dungarvan Mart.

Forward bullocks sold at €300 — €350 over, with light stores making €140 — €260 over. Beef heifers ranged €180 — €200 over and stores made €140 — €170 over.