More cattle means price pressure at marts

Cattle numbers on offer at the marts have increased, recovering from the recent drop during the excellent weather, with yesterday’s sales larger than average for late June.

The trade is not as uniform as the bigger entry, with variations ranging from a steady trade to weaker returns on prices, depending on location and demand, with the plain animals under the most pressure.

Farmer buyers have not returned to the ringsides in great numbers and the scent of marketing difficulties for the second half of the year is already beginning to occupy the minds of more than a few finishers. Yesterday, a number of factories advised producers that they were booked up for the week — normal for June — as a result of what appears to be a push by finishers to get cattle killed. The increase in supply is now fuelling downward pressure on prices, which could worsen unless there is orderly marketing of cattle.

Store cattle prices were weaker at Kanturk Mart yesterday for most types of stock. Forward bullocks ranged €140-€210 over €/kg with light stores making €100-€250 over. Heavy heifers made €110-€190 over and stores sold at €100-€150 over.

With 700 head on offer at Fermoy, demand was steady for quality bullocks with prices overall weaker. Beef bullocks made up to €300 over, medium weights ranged €90-€305 and light stores made €80-€260 over. Forward heifers sold at €110-€255 over and stores made €100-€200 over.

Kilmallock Mart, with 700 cattle and 300 calves on offer, saw steady all round trade. Heavy bullocks sold at €200-€390 over, with medium weights making €170-€360 over. Heavy heifers sold at €100-€250 over and stores sold at €90-€230 over.