Steady increase in cattle on offer
Punched out beef bullocks are in strong demand and record prices are being paid for the choice single punched continentals over 450kgs. Up to €400 over €/kg was paid yesterday for heavy punched out bullocks and the fancy forward store bullocks with a premia were making €475 over to €550 over €/kg many of these animals now costing up to €1,000/head.
More cattle are on offer at all of the marts this week, but there are plenty of buyers for quality livestock and even the plainer cattle are making good prices with plenty of interest from those who are reluctant to pay the bigger money for the tops.
There was a big increase in the supply at Fermoy Mart yesterday where the trade for all types was described as "excellent" with prices all round improved on last week. Forward single punched stores sold for up to €430 over €/kg with plainer lots making back to €180 over and medium weights with a premia made €190-€435 over. The heifer trade was also very strong with butchers' heifers making €140-€230 over and stores making up to €245 over.
At Athenry Mart, up to €410 over was paid for good punched out bullocks a 580kg Charolais selling for €990 and a red Limousin 540kg making €935, while Friesian made around €200 over.
A top price of €555 over e/kg was paid for a 625kg single punched red Limousin, sold for €1,180, with several lots making €450-€475 over.
Kilmallock Mart had 1,250 head on offer and a steady trade for the single punched bullocks selling at up to €430 over. There was a good trade for the heavy heifers at up to €250 over while store heifers made €100-€220 over.
