Good show of cattle at Bandon

Marts: Despite the partial closedown of farm trading and processing yesterday in support of the IFA protest in Dublin over the WTO threat, there was a good show of cattle at Bandon mart, where prices were a shade easier than last week.

In support of the crucial farming issues, the sale was deferred to 1pm and, while demand for all stock on offer held firm, prices were marginally easier than last week, largely attributed to the late growth of grass on farms and feed supplies in the cattle yards running out.

The forward bullocks sold for up to €380 over with the prices ranging back to €280 over. The lighter store bullocks sold for €260 over to €375 over — these prices not reaching the high peaks of last week’s sale which was particularly strong.

A Friesian weighing 715kg sold for €1,070, two Angus weighing 637kg sold for €1,010, six Herefords weighing 537kg sold for €840, four Herefords weighing 458kg sold for €760, five Herefords weighing 397kg sold for €775, eight Angus weighing 520kg sold for €880, and a lot of seven Angus weighing 343kg made €660.

There was a marked improvement on the previous week for the heifer trade with strong demand for the heavy heifers which sold for up to €350 over. Hereford and Angus stores made €160 over to €230 over

A Hereford weighing 655kg sold for €1,010, a Simmental weighing 540kg sold for €865, a Belgian Blue weighing 500kg sold for €845, two Limousin weighing 412kg sold for €735, two Limousin weighing 330kg made €670, four Angus weighing 362kg made €570, and four Herefords weighing 298kg fetched €495.

There was a very strong trade for the dry cows, with Friesians selling for up to €165 over for good stores. A Friesian weighing 725kg sold for €890, a Friesian weighing 585kg made €750 and a Friesian weighing 545kg fetched €635.

The cattle sale at Kilkenny was not held due to the protest with the sale transferred to today.