Strong trade for store cattle

Marts: Cattle numbers at the marts continued light this week, but demand remained strong for bullocks in particular at improved prices.

The forward bullocks were dearer by up to €30/head at Ennis Mart yesterday, while the trade remained upbeat at Bandon Mart yesterday and trade continued very firm for small bullocks at Kilkenny Mart.

Strong farmer demand in a tight supply situation is pushing prices which are showing little or no change from the same week last year for store animals, despite the removal of direct payments from animals purchased in 2005.