Better demand for store bullocks
Numbers of cattle on offer at the marts was maintained at yesterday’s sales with a good attendance of farmer buyers looking for cattle to eat the surplus grass on farms following the recent improvement in growth.
Prices for bullocks were improved by up to €30/head at Kilkenny Mart where medium and forward bullocks sold for up to €438 over €/kg. An improvement of €10/head for bullocks was recorded at Blessington Mart where the heavy bullocks made up to €410 over. At Bandon Mart, while the trade for bullocks continued firm, they did not fully match the previous week. Heifers were a steady trade at all sales with prices holding at previous weeks levels.
The heavy bullocks at Bandon ranged €200-€335 over €/kg, lighter stores making up to €390 over while there was a quieter trade for Friesian bullocks at prices ranging €110-€170 over €/kg. The best of the continental heifers made up to €240 over. Hereford and Angus heifers ranged €110-€170 over.
At Kilkenny Mart, where there was over 500 head on offer, €270-€438 over was paid for bullocks over 600kg - a Charolais 612kg making €1,050, a charolais 646kg selling for €1,050, a lot of two Charolais 857kg making €1,270 and three Charolais 648kg sold for €1,000. Bullocks 400-500kg made up to €400 over with several lots making €350-€390 over. Up to €320 over was paid for beef heifers with stores ranging €190-€310 over €/kg.
At Blessington, where there was an entry of 450 head, beef bullocks over 600kg ranged €320-€410, forward stores over 500kg made €300-€395 over, with lighter stores €280-€350 over.
