Firm store trade in marts

The live trade continued on a very firm tone for forward cattle and all quality lots at the marts, where numbers of cattle on offer continued to increase yesterday.

It has been the first week of significant increase in the throughput at the marts with marts reporting an increase in the number of farmers buying medium weight and forward store animals in preparation for the coming grass, with turnout in some of the early grass area expected within a few weeks — conditional on favourable weather.

There was a substantial increase in the number of cattle on offer at Bandon Mart yesterday. The trade for both bullocks and heifers was reported to be very strong for all lots with particular emphasis on the quality animals.

Up to €310 over was paid for the best of the heavy bullocks. Plainer lots sold back to €190 over. The lighter stores sold at €170 over to €315 over, with Friesians selling at €120 over to €200 over.

A lot of four Friesians weighing 602 kgs sold for €805, five Angus 488 kgs sold for €800, four Herefords 465 kgs fetched €735, four Limousin 442 kgs sold for €755, four Angus 320 kgs made €535, and a lot of five Simmentals weighing 387 kgs made €745.

The heifer trade was also very strong yesterday. Best of the heavy continental heifers sold for up to €340 over. The general run of prices for the heavy heifers sold for €180 over to €250 over. Lighter stores made €140 over to €220 over.

A Charolais weighing 610 kgs sold for €860, a Limousin 455 kgs made €795, three Charolais 480 kgs fetched €690, two Herefords scaling 465 kgs made €665, an Angus weighing 380 kgs made €540 and six Herefords weighing 260 kgs sold for €440.

During steady trade at Blessington Mart yesterday, heavy bullocks made up to €460 over. The forward bullocks ranged €260 over to €420 over and lighter lots made €215 over to €395 over.

Heavy heifers sold at €240 over to €365 over and stores made €165 over to €280 over.