Demand for quality stock sustained
Plain cattle remain hard to sell, a feature of the trade in recent weeks which has now become established as a pattern of the trade this autumn. That came as a direct fall out of the loss of the premium payments which in previous years underpinned the value of plain cattle.
Hardest hit are the progeny of the intensive dairy herds carrying a high percentage of Holstein blood, which are difficult to finish to beef and normally are poor graders.
The near 100% Holstein is not to be confused with the good British Friesian which have the potential to make R grade. There is a difference of €200-€300 between similar weight Continental and Holstein bullocks in the 500kg weight range.
There was a slight increase in cattle numbers at Bandon Mart yesterday. The heavy bullocks ranged €150 over to €250 over, some of the lighter stores making up to €270 over, while Friesians ranged €40 over to €110 over.
A lot of four Charolais bullocks weighing 530kg sold for €780. Contrast that with a lot of six Friesians weighing 501kg sold for €570. There was no change in heifer prices. Best continental made up to €180 over and Hereford and Angus sold at €50-€120 over.
There were 850 head at Kilkenny Mart. Quality lots were steady and plain cattle hard to sell. Beef bullocks ranged €200-€320 over; 400-500kg stores sold at €120 over to €320 over. Beef heifers made €200-€330.
Heavy bullocks were back €15/head at Blessington Mart selling at €160-€270. Forward stores peaked at €250. Beef heifers made €140-€180 while store heifers ranged €120-€200 over €/kg.
