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.

A small sale of 380 head at Kilkenny was attributed to the local attraction of the Gowran Park races which also resulted in less beef bullocks on offer and not as many customers at the ringside. Prices were, however, well maintained. Heavy bullocks ranged €300 over to €540 over and stores sold for €240 over to €420 over. The top price of €1,270 was paid for a Limousin bullock weighing 730kg. Heavy heifers ranged €250 over to €620 over, and a top price of €560 over was paid for a continental cull cow.

There was 445 head on offer at Ennis Mart where there was a very good all-round trade with heavy bullocks selling for up top €545 over, heifers ranging €200 over to €465 over, while cull cows sold for up to €400 over.

At Blessington Mart, John Doyle said “there was three buyers for every calf shown” — continental bulls making up to €400/head — and “good continental heifers are now making what continental bulls were two months ago”. Continental heifers made up to €335/head.