Plain bullocks a hard sell

Marts: There was an improved trade for forward heifers, but plain and light bullocks were difficult to sell at yesterday’s mart sales.

The supply of cattle on offer at the sales continues to increase. Prices were unchanged for most classes of cattle with the shortage of grass on farms restricting demand.

Trade for Friesian bullocks was slightly stronger at Bandon where there was a bigger sale and trade in general similar to last week.

Heavy bullocks ranged €230 over to €320 over. Lighter lots sold at €200 over to €330 over and Friesians ranged €80-€240 over. A lot of three Charolais weighing 530kg sold for €850, six Angus 515kg made €800, five Friesians 458kg made €605, and three Herefords 380kg sold for €630.

Trade for heifers was solid with continental heifers on offer making up to €250 over. Stores made €140-€220 over. There were 1,200 head on offer at Kilkenny. Trade for bullocks was unchanged, but the lighter lots were a harder sell mainly due to the shortage of grass.

Two Charolais 649kg sold for €1,050, four Charolais 616kg made €1,050, three Simmentals 601kg sold for €960. Up top €420 over was paid for the best of the beef heifers and stores ranged €220-€330 over.

There was a big sale at Ennis where €1,450 was paid for a black Limousin bullock weighing 786kg.

More general prices ranged €200-€500 over, with a small number of lots selling for more than €500 over.

A Charolais heifer 670kg made a top price of €1,290. Heavy heifers in general ranged €200-€500 over.

The pattern of trade was similar at Blessington Mart where beef bullocks ranged €350-€445 and forward stores made €300 over to €420 over.