Bouyant bullock trade at marts

Marts: There was a buoyant trade in the marts for bullocks with prices improved by up to €40/head at yesterday’s sales.

The “freedom to buy” environment in the cattle trade, with stocking level restrictions for the year over, clicked into place at the sales with a strong attendance of farmer buyers giving prices for forward stores a real end of year boost.

Punched out bullocks were a flying trade with up to €442 over €/kg being paid for the tops of the continentals at Ennis, up to €340 over at Kilkenny and up to €310 over at Bandon.

This week’s announcement that the final Census Date for 2004 was Sunday November 7th, removed the last remaining restriction on stocking levels not only for this year, but for the foreseeable future.

The impact was significant at yesterday’s sales, with an open expression of farmer confidence in the beef trade into 2005, as they turned out in greater numbers and in strong buying form.

Bandon Mart saw a big improvement in the bullock trade where punched out bullocks in particular were in much demand and in some cases were up €30-€40/head on last week.

The tops of the double punched sold for up to €310 over €/kg, while heavy stores with a punch made up to €340 over. Continental heifers made up to €220 over and Hereford/AA heifers sold at €150-€200 over.

At Kilkenny Mart a similar bigger attendance of farmer buyers and improved prices pushed the double punched bullocks to €340 over, with the heavy single punched selling at €200-€350 over and 400-500 kg single punched making up to €400 over. Beef heifers were also an excellent trade at up to €300 over and ranging from €220 over.