Improved trade for quality cattle

Marts: There was good demand at steady or improved prices for both forward quality bullocks over 500kg and good stores, while plain cattle were back up to €20/head at yesterday’s mart sales.

Numbers of cattle on offer at the marts was about similar to last week and overall demand continues strong with full clearances at all sales.

At a similar size sale to last week at Bandon Mart, demand was well maintained for quality bullocks in particular with prices showing a slight improvement.

The heavy bullocks sold for up to €315 over €/kg, lighter stores ranging €140 over to €240 over and Friesians making €70 over to €140 over. Two Charolais 502kg sold for €815, five Herefords weighing 483kg made €690, three Limousin scaling 380kg sold for €580 and three Friesians weighing 345kg made €395.

Quality was also very much in demand in the heifer ring with up to €235 over being paid for the best continentals. Hereford and Angus heifers ranged €70 over to €140 over.

A Belgian Blue 585kg made €810, a Limousin 460kg sold for €650, five Angus 354kg made €440, and three Herefords 470kg made €615.

At Kilkenny Mart there were 900 head on offer which met with a steady trade for quality bullocks, especially those over 500kg, while the plain bullocks were cheaper by up to €20/head.

Up to €350 over was paid for bullocks over 600kg, lighter lots ranging €120-€325 over. A strong trade for heifers pushed prices up to €360 over with stores making €120-€315 over.

Beef bullocks were improved by €30/head and quality stores were stronger by €40/head at Blessington Mart.

Heavy Beef bullocks made up to €335 over, ranging back to €260 over. Stores sold at €200-€270 over. Prices for beef heifers ranged €120-235 over with the stores making €100-€180 over.