Mixed trade at the marts

Prices for heavy bullocks eased yesterday, while prices for medium weight and light stores were improved, in a mixed trade at the marts.

Beef was not in plentiful supply at the sales, but where stock were on offer, prices were back by €20-€30/head for bullocks. The return at the live sales followed the trend of lower prices at the factories this week although this trend did not carry over to the heifer trade which was described as excellent.

However, there was no easing in the confidence of buyers of medium and light stores for which there was an improved trade showing gains of €10-€20/head, reflecting strong grass grown on farms leading to strong demand for autumn finishers.

There were almost 600 head on offer at Fermoy Mart yesterday where the trade was improved on last week for the medium weight and light-quality bullocks and an excellent trade for heifers.

There were very little beef bullocks on offer. An indication that the supply is tight. Up to €395 over €/kg was paid for the quality continental forward bullocks, with the plainer lots selling back to €80 over. Medium weights ranged €80 over to €300, and the light-store bullocks ranged €50 over for the plain Friesians to €315 for quality continentals.

In excellent trading for beef heifers up to €360 over was paid for the quality continentals — prices ranging back to €140 over — and the light stores ranged €120 over to €310 over.

At Kanturk Mart yesterday the heavy bullocks ranged €200 over to €290 over — back on last week — with prices for forward bullocks also easier at €145 over to €280 over.

However, medium weight and light-store bullocks were a firmed trade at improved prices ranging €120-€300 over.

Up to €255 over was paid for beef heifers with trade holding up — prices ranging back to €160 over. Medium weights 300-400kg ranged €140-€200 over and the light stores ranged €130-€180 over.