Prices for quality cattle pick up
Prices for the quality bullocks were improved by up to €20/head on last week, but the plain Friesian stores are continuing a difficult trade at poor prices. Quality heifers were improved by up to €15/head at yesterday’s sales.
The number of cattle on offer was slightly lower than last week with some farmers taking a holiday break and harvesting taking the attention of others away from the cattle trade.
At Bandon Mart it was reckoned that the bullock trade “was a good deal better” than last week with some lots showing an improvement of €20/head. Heifers were in scarce supply and sold at prices unchanged from last week.
Prices for the heavy bullocks ranged €150 over to €250 over, with the general range of stores making €170 over to €290 over for quality while Friesian lots ranged €70 over to €140 over.
Two 560 kg Simmental bullocks sold for €785, two 510 kg Charolais sold for €750, eight Friesians weighing 434 kg made €555, and a lot of nine Charolais scaling 366 kg sold for €645.
The best of the continental heifers made up to €180 over €/kg, while Hereford and Angus made €70-€120 over. A Charolais weighing 480 kg sold for €660. Two Belgian Blues weighing 465 kg made €630, and a Hereford weighing 510 kg sold for €610.
The trade was firm at Kilkenny Mart for all types of bullocks, where over 400 head were on offer, with prices improved by up to €15/head for a nice selection of heifers on offer. Beef bullocks ranged €180 over to €260 over, forward stores making up to €310 over and light stores ranging €160 over to €280 over.
