High prices paid for heavy bullocks

Marts: The number of cattle on offer rose at all centres, with demand robust for the quality lots, but the plainer cattle were a tougher trade at yesterday’s mart sales.

Some of the high prices being paid for the heavy bullocks were described as ‘unbelievable’ by farmers as prices stretched to €575 over €/kg for top quality Continentals.

Blessington Mart recorded an increase of up to €30/head for the quality forward bullocks, quality lots were steady at unchanged prices at Bandon, Kilkenny and Ennis, but overall there was less enthusiasm for the plainer cattle among the buyers and they faced a tougher trade with prices eased by up to €20/head.

Analysis of the trend indicates a division in producer confidence for the trade forward, with the stronger interest in the heavy cattle for early finishing — when beef could be scarce and therefore expensive — and more caution being exercised in the purchase of the lighter and plainer lots which will not finish before the Autumn.

There was a big increase in the entry at Bandon Mart where the quality coloured cattle were in strong demand, but the plain Friesians were a tough trade. Up to €340 over was paid for the forward bullocks, medium weight stores making up to €420 over and Friesians selling at €50-€170 over €/kg.

Continental heifers sold for up to €250 over — one exception prices of €390 over was paid — and Hereford and Angus ranged €110-€240 over.

There was 1,100 head on offer at Ennis, where the quality heifers were improved by €10/head and the bullock trade similar to last week. Choice heavy Continental bullocks sold for up to €575 over — a top price of €1,355 paid for a 780 kgs Charolais — and the 400-500 kg stores made up to €461 over. Up to €585 over was paid for the best of the continental heavy heifers.

At Kilkenny — 1,400 head on offer — quality bullocks were steady, lighter and plainer lots reduced and heifers improved by €15/head.