Strong beef trade but light stores weaker

Marts: There was plenty of confidence among beef finishers to maintain prices for forward beef animals, but the same could not be said for farmers buying store cattle at yesterday’s mart sales.

Beef prices this week, beef animals continued a very strong trade, while light stores were a weaker trade.

The exceptional price of the day was €622 over paid for a Belgian Blue bullock at Ennis — 478 kgs making €1,100, while another Blue bullock realised €550 over at Kilkenny Mart where the 786 kg bullock sold for €1,340. More generally the forward beef type animals sold for up to €420 over.

There was over 500 head on offer at Kilkenny, where trade for beef and near finished animals was improved, but stores and light animals were described as “a difficult trade” with prices back by up to €25/head. Bullocks over 600kgs sold for €230 — €550 over, with lots under 400kgs making €140 — €300 over. Up to €440 over was paid for the best of the continental beef heifers, while stores sold at €130 — €270 over.

There was a bigger sale at Bandon Mart where the bullocks and dry cows were back a little with a very brisk trade for heifers. Heavy bullocks ranged €190 — €330 over, light stores making €160 — €250 over and Friesians making €70 — €160 over. Heavy heifers sold for up to €240 over. Continental stores made up to €270 over, with Hereford and Angus selling at €110 — €180 over.

At Ennis the general run on heavy bullocks was €200 — €434. Light cattle an easier trade. Heavy heifers made up to €380 over ranging back to €170 over.