Cattle sales reach seasonal peak

Marts: Cattle sales reached a seasonal peak at the marts yesterday where record numbers were on offer and the trade for plain bullocks was a shade easier than last week.

There was a very big sale of cattle at Bandon Mart, while at Kilkenny selling of 1,600 head was still in progress up to 7pm and at Ennis, where there was almost 1,900 head on offer, it was almost 8pm before the auctioneer left the rostrum.

While there was a strong attendance of buyers for cattle with the bigger numbers on offer, farmers were being selective.

Trade at Bandon was described as “very solid” with a particularly big entry of bullocks selling well at up to €400 over the quality heavy bullocks. Lighter store bullocks ranged €170 — €320 over and Friesians sold at €80 — €250 over. The trade for heifers was described as “very good” at up to €240 over for the choice heavy continentals. Plainer lots sold at €120 — €180 over and light stores made €80 — €140 over.

Trade at Ennis was particularly strong for the choice one-and-a-half year old bullocks at up to €450 over. Up to €500 over was paid for beef with plenty of interest from factory buyers. Choice beef heifers sold for up to €400 over and in a flying trade for dry cows up to €350 over was paid.

Bullock trade was a tougher at Kilkenny where plain lots were difficult to sell. The heavy bullocks sold for up to €490 over, medium weights ranged €180 — €370 over. Up to €460 over was paid for beef heifers and up to €300 over for stores. Up to €300 over was paid for the best of the dry cows with a 990kg Simmental selling for €1,280.