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.

The quality heifers sold for up to €395 over €/kg at Kilkenny where a 450kg Limousin sold for €845.

The number of cattle on offer at Bandon was similar to last week, where trade for the bullocks was solid and heifers were a shade quieter. The heavy bullocks ranged €170 over to €300 over. Lighter stores made €180 over to €290 over while Friesians made €80 over to €170 over. The heavy heifers made €150 over to €200 over and the store heifers ranged €110 over to €170 over. Trade for dry cows remained solid.

There was a smaller sale of 500 head at Kilkenny Mart with very little beef animals on offer. The forward bullocks ranged €220 over to €400 over. Lighter lots sold for €150 over to €380 over and the stores under 400kg made €140 over to €360 over.

Beef heifers made €250 over to €360 over and the stores sold from €140 over to €350 over. Up to €285 over €/kg was paid for quality heavy continental breed dry cows.

Farmers were not as plentiful at Blessington Mart but it did not effect a strong trade for quality lots. Forward bullocks sold for up to €400 over. Medium weight range bullocks made €210 for plain lots to €345 over for quality lots of continentals. The heavy heifers ranged €270 over to €360 over and the stores made €180 over to €250 over.