Firm trade for smaller entries

Marts: The live trade has continued firm for all types of cattle at the marts, but the fall off in the attendance of farmers looking for cattle is also evident, although it has not effected the prices being paid, with plenty of demand for the smaller entries at the sales.

There was a strong trade at Bandon Mart yesterday for both bullocks and heifers and dry cows were described as an excellent trade.

The heavy bullocks ranged €170 — €285 over €/kg. Lighter stores sold at €150 — €240 over. A lot of four Charolais 617kg made €900. four Charolais 530kg sold for €815, three Angus 471kg made €725, two Herefords 510kg sold for €750 and another lot of two Herefords 347 made €555.

The trade for heifers was also very firm. The top price was €315 over which was paid for a 500kg Hereford heifer. The general run of prices for the lighter heifers was €120 over to €160 over.

There was 500 head on offer at Kilkenny Mart — similar to last week — but the absence of farmers to buy cattle continues to be evident and attributed to a tightening in the supply of feed on farms rather than any lack of confidence in the trade.

The heavy bullocks made up to €420 over. Medium weights selling at €150 — €370 over and the light store bullocks making up to €330 over. =A Simmental 804kg made €810, two Charolais 588kg made €850, and a lot of four Limousin 456kg made €680.

Up top €325 over was paid for the best of the heavy continental heifers. Prices ranged from €240 over. A Charolais 636kg sold for €965, a continental 562kg made €800 and a Limousin 476kg made €780.

There was a very good trade for the dry cows. Up to €300 over was paid for the best of the heavy continentals on offer. Friesians made up to €150 over.

There was a steady trade for a smaller sale of cattle at Blessington.

Heavy bullocks made €220 over to €450 over, medium weight stores making €210 — €380 over.