Large turnout but mixed cattle trade

There was a mixed trade for bullocks at yesterday’s mart sales, some centres reporting an improvement of up to €20/head for bullocks and heifers, while the trend through the week of an easing of prices continued at other locations.

The common factor around the country was for large turnouts of cattle at the sales and a good attendance of buyers, with the emphasis on quality stock a continuing pattern.

At Bandon Mart there was “another fine bullock trade” where the stronger stores met with plenty of demand at strong prices while the smaller stores were described as “a much improved trade” compared to last week’s sale.

The heavy bullocks sold for up to €430 over for the best of the continentals. Plainer lots made back to €240 over. The lighter stores sold at €210-€330 over and Friesians ranged €80 over to €225 over.

There was an increase in the number of heifers on offer. Best Continentals made up to €360 over and Hereford and Angus sold for €120 to €210 over.

There was a big sale of over 1,200 head at Ennis where the trade for bullocks was slightly easier but the quality was reckoned not as good as last week. Nevertheless the best of the heavy continentals on offer sold for up to €515 over — a lot of six Charolais bullocks weighing 585kgs making €1,100. A single Charolais 755kgs made €1,255, a Limousin 580kgs fetched €1,070, a Limousin 760kgs made €1,235, a lot of four Limousin 383kgs sold for €808 and a lot of four Charolais 461kgs made €900.

Up to €495 over was paid for the heavy heifers. A Limousin 685kgs sold for €1,190, a Charolais 645kgs made €1,130, and a Limousin 500kgs at €960.

There was a very big sale of 1,400 head at Kilkenny Mart. Bullocks and heifers were up by €20/head with a lot of farmer buyers driving a strong trade. Heavy bullocks made up to €550 over and medium weight stores ranged €250 over to €425 over, lighter stores selling at €50-€360 over. Beef heifers ranged €200-€480 over.