Fall off in beef animals for sale

There was a noticeable fall off in the number of beef animals on offer at the mart sales yesterday — which may help to restore stability to beef prices — and a good selling trade for the quality bullocks.

Mart entries are now slipping back in line with the seasonal pattern and there was also fewer farmers at the ringsides as farm work steps up a gear with silage making getting into full swing around the country.

Nonetheless there was a continued strong selling trade for the quality forward store bullocks, while the heifers were a shade quieter. Up to €400 over was paid for quality bullocks in the 500kg weight range at Kilkenny and Blessington and a little less at Bandon.