Trade for all types of cattle holds firm
The heavy double punched bullocks were a shade easier at sales at Kilkenny and Blessington Marts, but maintained last week’s prices at Kilkenny Mart, where the store bullocks were improved by up to €10/head.
The continued strong trade for cow beef is fuelling expectations of an improved trade for prime beef between now and the end of the year, which is leading to a strong trade for the heavy cattle with all premia drawn.
Nearly €400 over €/kg was paid for some choice punched out bullocks at Ennis Mart, where there was a big entry of almost 1,500 head on offer, but the demand was a shade easier for the punched out bullocks under 600kgs.
The top price went to a red Limousin weighing 612kgs which sold for €1,005 and a Charolais weighing 774kgs which sold for €1,150. The double punched bullocks over 600kgs sold for up to €340 over €/kg at Kilkenny, with over 1,000 head on offer, but they were slightly easier at Blessington, where up to €250 over was paid.
There was a bigger entry at Bandon, where up to €230 over was paid for double punched.
The trade is continuing steady for single punched bullocks, which made up to €430 over at Ennis and up to €420 over at Kilkenny and €435 over at Blessington.
Up to €287 over €/kg was paid for heavy heifers at Ennis where €865 was paid for a Charolais weighing 586kgs and a red Limousin weighing 530kgs sold for €785.
