Demand strong for store animals

Marts: Store heifers prices showed improvements of up to E60/head at yesterday’s sales, where demand remained very strong for all types of store animals at prices maintained or improved on last week.

The trade for store bullocks of all weights remains buoyant with demand outstripping supply, but it was the store heifers that showed the greatest gains on the week with up to E370 over /kg being paid for the tops of the continentals.

At Bandon Mart, where there was a big increase in the numbers on offer, the trade for store heifers was described as “the real winner” with prices showing an improvement of up to E60/head, with the top continental heifers selling for up to E300 over /kg. Hereford and Angus heifers ranged E150-210 over. A lot of two 362kg Simmentals sold for 650 and a 570kg Hereford was knocked down at 835. Heavy store bullocks made E250-354 over /kg with E795 paid for a lot of two 450kg Charolais and a lot of four AA weighing 600kg selling for E910.