Price gains in lively trade

THERE was an all round lively trade with further gains for producers at the marts yesterday where the entry of stock continued to increase.

Heavy and forward bullocks continued to lead the market with very strong prices being paid for quality.

Up to €450 over was paid for heavy quality with lots of bullocks at Bandon, increasing to €550 over at Blessington, up to €610 over at Kilkenny and a top of €650 over at Ennis.

There was a slight increase in the number of stock on offer at Bandon where there was an excellent trade for the bullocks and very good demand for heifers.

The heavy bullocks ranged €280 over to €450 over with the lighter stores making €200 over to €370 over.

The top price was €1,045 paid for three Belgian Blues weighing 595kg.

Best of the continental heifers sold for up to €410 over and the stores made €180 over to €250 over.

Dairy stock — thirty on offer — also met with strong demand. Dairy incalf heifers ranged €1,000/head to €1,800/head and dairy cows made €800/head to €1,220/head.

At Kilkenny, where there was 650 head on offer, the heavy bullocks were improved by €15/head in a lively trade for all lots.

The heavy bullocks sold for €450 over to €610 over, forward lots making €400 over to €605 over and the lighter stores selling for €220 over to €450 over.

Up to €570 over was paid for heavy heifers, forward lots selling for €325 over to €440 over and the lighter stores selling for €250 over to €410 over.

There was a bigger entry of 840 head at Ennis yesterday, with some very good quality selling for some excellent prices.

The bullocks ranged €280 over to €650 over, the top price being paid for a 790kg Charolais sold for €1,440.

Heifers ranged €210 over to €590 over — a 540kg Limousin sold for €1,130.

Cull cows were also strong. Quality heavy lots sold for up to €555 over — a 700kg Limousin sold for €1,255 and several lots breaking €1,000/head.