Prices for double-punched bullocks ease
Prices for heavy double-punched bullocks have been easing through the week following the fall in prices and the fear of a further slide in beef prices if supplies to the factories continue to increase.
There was no offering of beef bullocks at Kilkenny Mart yesterday, where the entry dropped to 410 head. Forward double-punched bullocks dropped to range €144 to €192 over €/kg. All cattle were back at least €10/head with plain cattle showing a drop of €20-€30/head. The quality forward single-punched bullocks maintained their price best with up to €416 over €/kg being paid - four 504 kg Charolais sold at €920 - with most of the good single-punched in the 500 kg range selling €350-€400 over. Beef heifers ranged €170-€270 over with a good trade for the quality stores which ranged €130-€285 over.
Numbers of cattle on offer at Bandon Mart were similar to last week, with trade generally holding up well, particularly for the good cattle. Double-punched bullocks ranged €150-€295 over - a 585kg Limousin sold for €880 - while the single punched ranged €240-€400 over and a small offering of bullocks with clean ears (obviously still eligible for both premia in 2004) made up to €500 over.
The heavy heifers made €200-€280 over and light heifers sold at €160-€200 over. Some of the best prices this week for double-punched were paid at Kilmallock Mart, where they sold for up to €360 over and at Athenry Mart, where they sold for up to €345 over - both sales before the latest drop in beef prices at the factories. At Cahir Mart, they ranged €90-€130 over, making from €175 over to €245 over at Kanturk Mart and ranging up to €260 over at Fermoy.
