Increase in cattle on offer at marts

Marts: There was an increase in the numbers of cattle on offer at the marts yesterday where prices for both beef and stores were either maintained or improved on last week’s sales.

There is a very strong trade for the quality heavy continental beef bullock with the tops making the equivalent of up to 300c/kg (106p/lb) dw at the fall of the auctioneers hammer. There was an equally robust trade for the heavy beef heifers with the tops making the equivalent of 308-314c/kg (110-112p/lb) in the ring.

Trade for store bullocks was further improved by up to €10/head with the medium weights making up to €350 over €/kg, which is a very strong price given the majority of these animals will not be finished until next autumn when supplies will be a lot stronger and the price readjustments will have taken place.

The best trade for beef heifers was at Kilkenny Mart yesterday with €530 head, which included a nice selection of quality beef heifers.

They made up to €390 over €/kg with the plainer lots selling back to €260 over.

Butcher’s heifers made €230-€310 over and the store heifers sold at €180-€230 over.

The store bullocks were improved by at least €10/head with the tops of the light and medium weighs up to 450kg making up to €350 over.

There was a flying trade for the heavy continental beef bullocks at Ennis, where the numbers on offer were well up, and several lots made €400 over €/Kg to a top of €499 over which was paid for a 786kg Charolais bullock. A 718kg Charolais sold for €1,195. A lot of two Charolais bullocks weighing 678kg sold for €1,095.

There was a top price of €354 over €/kg paid for the nice heifers with a 446kg Limousin selling for €800, while the plainer lots sold back to €160 over €/kg.