Trade improves for beef heifers

Marts: There was an improved trade for beef heifers at the marts yesterday with gains of up to €40/head with the quality forward bullocks showing small gains.

Numbers of cattle on offer at the marts were similar or slightly higher with firm to brisk trading reported for the quality cattle with the price margin over plain lots widening.

Up to €370 over €/kg was paid for the tops of the butcher’s heifers at Kilkenny Mart, where trade was brisk for the 700 head of cattle on offer. Heifer prices were improved by €20 to €40/head. Butcher’s heifers ranged €120-€370 over with the factory heifers making €120-€330 over.

The bullock trade was similar to last week. Up to €330 over was paid for the heavy continentals, with prices ranging back to €160 over. Lighter bullocks - up to 400 kgs - sold at €140-€240 over.

There was a good selling trade at Bandon Mart for the quality bullocks at up to €230 over €/kg and ranging back to €150 over. Friesians ranged €40-€140 over.

Six Belgian Blues weighing 525 kgs sold for €735, four Herefords weighing 490 kgs made €710, two Charolais 477 kgs sold for €685, a lot of eight Friesians 445 kgs made €545 and three Belgian Blues 326 kgs made €490.

Hereford and Angus made €70-€150 over.

Ennis Mart had a big sale of 1,125 head. Gains on the day were limited to about €10/head.

Fancy prices were paid for heavy beef bullocks. Charolais weighing 790 kgs sold for €1,280. A similar weight Charolais sold for €1,170. Heifers ranged €100-€300 over.

The beef bullocks made €325 over at Blessington Mart and stores up to €260 over. Beef heifers ranged €150 - €240 over.