Strong store cattle trade continues

Marts: The trade for store cattle has continued remarkably strong in the marts this week, showing no sign of the seasonal easing usually associated with the final days of May.

Buyers are paying over €500 with €/kg for single punched bullocks and more than €300 over €/kg for store heifers for finishing.

It is interesting to compare yesterday’s prices with those of the same mart sales a year ago. Prices for the quality continental single punched bullocks over 450 kgs at Kilkenny Mart yesterday were €160/head higher than the same day in 2003 and good heifers sold for €100/head more. At Bandon, the single punched forward continental bullocks made €100/head more than the corresponding sale last year and the best of the heifers made up to €120/head more than 2003. Beef prices at the factories for the remainder of the year will certainly require to remain well ahead of last year if most of these animals are to leave a margin. An extra 10p/lb at the factories next autumn will fall far short of recouping the margins over 2003 prices paid for store cattle.