Prices rise by up to €30/head

Marts: Trade for the heavy and forward animals continued with a sharper tone to the demand pushing prices upwards by up to €30/head at yesterday’s live sales at the marts.

Exceptional prices continue to be paid for choice continentals for which demand is strong. Yesterday’s peak was €770 over for a Charolais bullock at Ennis Mart and €595 over for Charolais heifers at the same venue. At Kilkenny up to €650 over was paid for heavy bullocks and a top of €520 over for heifers, with Blessington Mart recording €600 over for heavy bullocks and €525 over for the heavy heifers. Up to €400 over was paid for heavy bullocks and heavy heifers at Bandon Mart.

Numbers of cattle being offered at the sales are holding up well for late July. The entry at Bandon was similar to last week. There was a strong trade for the bullocks with prices for the heavy bullocks ranging €250 over to €400 over and lighter stores making €160 over to €302 over. There was a brisk trade for the heifers with the heavy heifers selling for up to €400 over.

There was over 600 head on offer at Ennis where prices for the quality stores were improved by up to €30/head. The heavy bullocks sold for €250 over to €770 over, choice continentals topping the trade. A Charolais weighing 730kg sold for €1,500, five Simmentals weighing 688kg sold for €1,350, and a Charolais weighing 585kg sold for €1, 240. The top price went for a Charolais weighing 585kg sold for €1,180. A Limousin weighing 570kg made €1,145.

There was over 400 head on offer at Kilkenny where store prices were stronger by up to €15/head. The heavy bullocks ranged €480 over to €650 over and forward lots making €300 over to €550 over. Heavy heifers made €350 over to €520 over.

At Blessington the heavy bullocks sold for €420 over to €600 over and forward lots €380 over to €545 over. Heifers ranged €345 over for heavy lots and €280 over to €365 over for forward lots.