Improved trade at marts

Marts: There was an improved trade for beef and forward lots of bullocks and heifers at the marts yesterday where the entries of cattle continued strong.

The demand and prices paid for forward animals yesterday reflected the recovery in beef prices at the factories this week and confidence in a continuation of the strong trade for beef in the lead up to Christmas with the supply of finished cattle expected to remain tight over the coming weeks.

With a strong trade for beef in Britain, factories will require the sourcing of good supplies of cattle to fill the Christmas orders and producers are looking forward to a hardening in the trade as demand likely outstrips the supply.

There was a substantial improvement in the trade for heifers at Bandon Mart and a very steady trade for bullocks with the numbers on offer slightly higher than last week. The heavy bullocks ranged €170-€290 over, lighter lots making €180-€250 over and Friesians selling at €80-€190 over. A Limousin 600kg sold for €985; seven Friesians 627kg made €810; five Charolais 595kg sold for €875; eight Herefords 533kg fetched €825, and five Angus 463kg realised €660.

There was a very lively trade for heifers at improved prices with returns showing gains of at least €20/head on last week. The best of the continental sold for up to €250 over €/kg. The general run of prices ranged €150-€220 over while store heifers ranged €90-€150 over.

There were nearly 600 head on offer at Blessington, C0 Wicklow, where trade for beef improved on last week and prices were steady for all other classes.

The beef and forward bullocks sold for €300-€440 over, medium weight stores making €240-€360 over and light stores making up to €330 over. Beef heifers made €200-€315 over, forward stores sold at €175-€265 over and light stores made €150-€240 over.