Seasonal drop marks smaller sales

The seasonal drop in the number of cattle being marketed, coinciding with summer work on farms, became evident at the mart sales around the country yesterday.

The trade for the smaller number of cattle on offer continued very firm overall, varying from a sharp demand at some centres to slightly weaker at others, which may have more to do with the quality of stock on offer at a particular venue than any change in the trade.

A smaller entry at Bandon Mart experienced similar trade to last week for the coloured bullocks and the good Friesian type bullocks were a little dearer. Up to €325 over was paid for the heavy continental breed bullocks, lighter stores selling for €180 over to €270 over. Friesian stores made €80 over to €170 over.

Trade for heifers was solid at up to €240 over for the best of the heavy Continentals. Continental stores sold for €150 over to €220 over and Hereford and Angus stores made €110 over to €170 over.

At Kilkenny Mart where the turnout dropped to 430 head the trade was described as “very sharp” with a very strong trade for the heavy bullocks and heifers.

The heavy bullocks sold for €250 over to €385 over, forward bullocks making €250 over to €370 over with the lighter stores selling for €250 over to €310 over.

There was a buoyant trade for the heavy heifers with up to €590 over — a 582 kgs Charolais heifer selling for €1,170 — with prices ranging from €300 over. Store heifers made €180 over to €300 over.

A smaller sale at Blessington Mart was matched with strong prices with heavy bullocks selling for up to €455 over €/kg. Forward bullocks sold for €285 over to €405 over. The lighter stores sold for €200 over to €310 over. Up to €360 over was paid for the heavy heifers and the stores sold for €180 over to €275 over.

Dry cows were a good trade at Bandon where up to €80 over €/kg was paid for Friesian cows while at Kilkenny up to €190 over was paid for heavy continental cows.