Scarce supply sends prices surging

Marts: Demand exceeded supply yesterday where competition for supplies on offer pushed prices to exceptional levels.

A 440kg Belgian Blue heifer sold for €620 over — the auctioneers hammer falling at €1,060 — at Kilkenny Mart topped yesterday’s sales where up to €540 over was paid for heavy continental bullocks and “there was three customers for every calf” as prices for the young stock also soared, while €560 over was paid for a cull continental cow.

There was a slight increase in the number on offer at Bandon Mart yesterday where there was “a brisk bullock trade, followed by an equally lively heifer trade”. The heavy bullocks ranged €220 over to €390 over and light stores sold for €230 over to €370 over. Store heifers sold for up to €323 over.