Improvement in heifer sales

Marts: The trade for store bullocks eased back a little — prices for quality forward cattle were maintained — while heifers were an improved trade at the mart sales, where there were big offerings of stock at all sales yesterday.

Activity in the sales rings continued into the night with some sale venues reporting one of the year’s biggest sales. Buyers were out in numbers but they showed less enthusiasm for plainer cattle.

Trade was easier for the bullocks at Bandon Mart where the heavy bullocks ranged €170 — €360 over. Lighter lots sold at €140 — €300 over with Friesians making €70 — €180 over.

The heifer trade, heavy heifers made up to €260 over, the general run ranging €140 — €180 over and stores selling at €90 — €150 over. A lot of two Charolais 432kg sold for €690, four Limousin 392kg made €630, two Herefords 482kg sold for €660 and three Angus 383kg made €485.

There was a record entry of 1,700 head at Kilkenny where trade for beef bullocks was firm and the heifer trade was strong. Up to €470 over was paid for the heavy beef bullocks, weight range over 400kg making €260 — €450 and lighter lots selling back to €180 over. Beef heifers were a flying trade at up to €550 over for the tops while stores made €190 — €260 over. Dry cows ranged from €150 under to €350 over.

There was nearly 600 head on offer at Blessington where the heavy bullocks were back €15 — €30/head and plain store cattle were a hard sell. Beef and forward bullocks made €300 — €400 over, medium weights selling at €230 — €390 over and light stores making €180 — €325 over. Beef and butchers heifers were an excellent trade at up to €350 over in general — there was a top of €430 over — with stores selling at €150 — €240 over.