Cattle mart trade continues strong
Prices being paid for single punched bullocks continued to improved with a further €20/head being added in an apparent rush to get the last of the premia carrying stock before the deadline on December 31.
But the top price of the week must have been the lot of three Charolais punched out bullocks, weighing 698 kgs, which sold for €1,190 at Ennis Mart on Thursday. They were an excellent price at the sale where the general run for the tops of the continental punched out bullocks ranged €300-€350 over €/kg.
There was an offering of 800 cattle for the sale, with a very strong trade for the single punched bullocks which were improved by at least €20/head. Prices ranged €300-€455 over €/kg. A 396 kg Limousin heifer made a choice price when sold for €730. Price ranged €120-€230 over €/kg.
Bandon Mart held the last cattle sale for the year, with punched out bullocks making up to €320 over in trade. The heavy stores with a premia made €220-€340 over e/kg and up to €350 over was paid for the lighter stores with a premia still available. Up to €220 over was paid for Continental heifers. Hereford and AA heifers ranged €110-€140 over €/kg.
There was almost 800 head of cattle on offer at Kilkenny. Trade was firm all round. Double punched bullocks made €190-€300 over €/kg and the forward bullocks with a premia made up to €420 over scaling back to €300 over. Medium weight single punched sold for up to €410 over and the light cattle under 400 kgs with a premia made up to €390 over.
There was a strong trade for heifers, the best of the continental beef heifers making €220 over. Butcher’s heifers ranged €170-€230 over. Stores made €160-€210 over.
