Fewer cattle at the marts sales

Marts: There was a drop in the number of cattle on offer at the mart sales yesterday — particularly for the heavy cattle — with a slightly sharper trade reported for beef animals.

Bandon Mart reported good numbers of cattle on offer, particularly in the bullocks section, while Kilkenny Mart was back about 15% on last week and the entry at Blessington Mart was down 20% on the previous week.

Speaking from Kilkenny Mart, auctioneer George Chandler said that “the trade was a bit sharper particularly for the heavy bullocks”, the supply of which appears to be tightening.

The trade at Bandon was steady for the bullocks at last week’s prices, while the heifer trade was a shade easier. The quality heavy continental bullocks sold for up to €330 over with the lighter stores making €150 over to €240 over. The trade continues weaker for the plain Friesian bulls which sold for €60 over to €140 over.

The best of the heavy continental breed heifers sold for up to €215 over. Hereford and Angus ranged €70 over to €120 over. Five Charolais weighing 690kg made €1,000, five Charolais weighing 661kg made €990, seven Friesians weighing 541kg made €675, six Herefords weighing 475kg sold for €705, four Angus weighing 420kg made €610, three Herefords scaling 365kg fetched €585 and a lot of five Friesians weighing 260kg sold for €355.

In a sharper trade at Kilkenny Mart for the heavy bullocks, quality continentals sold for more than €400 over and forward lots ranged around the same.

There was a very active farmer trade for a smaller entry of cattle at Blessington Mart. Trade was good for the heavy bullocks at €250 over to €360 over.