High demand for store cattle as beef heifers reach up to €370 over

Marts: Demand for store cattle is strong, while the numbers on offer at the marts remain slow to build up after the Christmas break leading to demand outstripping supply at many centres.

Some exceptional prices are being paid for beef heifers with €370 over being achieved at Birr mart where more than €300 over was paid for several other lots of quality beef heifers.

Up to €360 over was paid for the best of the continental forward bullocks with a good entry of heavy bullocks.

There was an improved trade for most types of cattle at Fermoy mart yesterday where there was €320 head on offer — an increase on last week — but particularly for the forward heifers which were described as an “excellent” trade.

The larger entry was well matched with plenty of buyers for all stock on offer. Beef bullocks made up to €200 over €/kg.

The forward bullocks made €100 over to €240 over, medium weights making €100 — €250 over. The lighter stores ranged €80 — €250 over.

There was excellent demand for all types of heifers on offer. Forward heifers made €120 over to €250 over and stores sold at €100 over to €235 over.

At Kanturk mart up to €250 over was paid for the forward bullocks. Prices ranged back to €150 over for plain lots. Medium weights made up to €245 over and the lighter stores sold at €130 over to €200 over.

Up to €200 over was paid for the heavy heifers — prices ranging back to €140 over — and stores made €130 — €180 over.

There was a small sale at Kilmallock mart, but plenty of demand at unchanged prices.

A strong trade for the heavy bullocks with up to €350 over was matched with an equally strong demand for the forward bullocks which sold for up to €320 over.

The good heifers were also a strong trade with up to €255 over being paid for beef heifers and light stores making up to €230 over.