Weather hits demand for store cattle
Punched out bullocks, forward store bullocks and weanlings are all showing a slight easing in prices this week, while the heifer trade is continuing to hold its own, showing very little change from the strong prices running in recent weeks.
Sales are also reporting bigger entries of cattle this week as the sales reach their spring peak in numbers on offer. There was 1.300 head on offer at Fermoy Mart yesterday, where the trade in general continued strong but the range of prices being paid widened with prices for the forward single punched bullocks spanning €170 over to €420 over depending on the quality.
Medium weights with a premia ranged €190 over to €445 over €/kg. The punched out bullocks sold for up to €300 over. Butchers heifers continued a strong trade at up to €265 over being paid.
At Kanturk Mart the single punched bullocks 400-500 kgs made €250-€365 over with heavier single punched selling for up to €400 over. The butchers heifers made up to €270 over.
Single punched bullocks were "not as sharp" as previous weeks at Athenry Mart although very choice lots made up to €500 over and plainer cattle back to €270 over with an improved trade for heifers selling for up to €320 over.
Kilmallock Mart had is biggest sale of 2004 with 1,520 cattle on offer and 400kg to 500kg single punched bullocks selling at €250-€430 over and up to €240 over for heifers.
There was also a quieter tone to yesterday's sales of 750 weanlings at Ennis Mart. The tops of the weanlings minus the first premia sold for up to €390 over with prices ranging back to €260 over and heifers ranged €160 €300 over.
