Weather affecting store prices

The dry weather is continuing to have a significant influence on the trade for store cattle, particularly for the lighter and younger animals for which demand is weak.

The young stores were a hard trade at yesterday’s mart sales, where there was a brisk trade for forward heifers and a steady trade for beef bullocks. Grass supply is continuing tight on a majority of farms, which is weakening farmer demand for the younger stock at the marts. As a result, prices were mainly easier for light and plain animals with some of these now making poor prices.

There was a good entry of bullocks and heifers at Bandon mart where trade was similar to last week for the forward animals, with light stores a weaker trade.

Heavy bullocks sold at €170-€310 over /kg, lighter lots making €150-€240 over and Friesians selling at €70-€160 over. Forward continental heifers ranged €130-€275, while Hereford and Angus sold at €80-€130. Three Simmental heifers 391kg sold for €665, a Limousin 490kg made €650, two Charolais 360kg sold for €550, and two Friesians weighing 607kg sold for €665.

There was a smaller sale of 450 head at Kilkenny Mart. The forward bullock trade was similar to last week. Factory cattle sold well. Lighter stores were a difficult trade and heifers met with brisk demand.

Up to €500 over — a Charolais 614kg sold for €1,120 — was paid for forward bullocks. Medium weights ranged €180-€300 over. A Charolais 693kg sold for €1,100, a Belgian Blue 690kg made €1,115, three Limousin 503kg sold at €750, a Simmental 420kg made €725 and five Charolais 390kg sold at €700.

Up to €310 over was paid for beef heifers, butchers heifers making €200-€310 over.