Strong prices as sales wind down

Marts: As the cattle sales wind down for the year, after a strong autumn trade, cattle numbers were variable at sales yesterday, while demand prices were fully maintained.

The last cattle sale for 2006 at Bandon Mart attracted a smaller entry.

Nonetheless, there was a good trade for all stock.

Beef animals were scarce. Store bullocks made €140-€270 over €/kg. The plainer stock and in particular Friesians sold at €70-€140 over.

Four Angus bullocks at 470kg sold for €680, two Friesians 417kg made €550, a Hereford 365kg made €520, and five Friesians at 262kg fetched €350.

Heavy continental heifers sold for up to €210 over, plainer lots selling back to €140 over. Hereford and Angus heifers ranged €70-€130 over.

A Charolais 550kg made €760, an Angus 575kg sold for €755, two Limousin 372kg made €570 and three Angus 348kg made €460.

The number of cattle on offer at Kilkenny remained strong with 670 head at the sale. There was a steady trade for bullocks and the trade for heifers was described as “lively”.

The heavy bullocks made up to €420 over, with prices ranging back to €220 over. Forward bullocks made €180-€330 over. Lighter stores sold at €170-€220 over.

A Simmental 716kg sold for €1,130, a Charolais 636kg made €905, eight Charolais 635kg sold for €965, three Limousin 599kg made €930, a Charolais 480kg made €795, and two Simmentals 368kg made €530.

Beef heifers ranged €230-€330 over. Store heifers made €200-€230 over. A Limousin 482kg made €765, a Charolais 732kg made €1,000, two Charolais 552kg made €850, and two Limousin 482kg made €790.

Cull cows ranged €250 under to €50 under for Friesian lots, with continentals ranging from €1 over to €140 over.