Record bullock prices driven by strong trade
Prices for the tops of the double punched bullocks reached new records at over €500 with €/kg at Ennis Mart, with prices for bullocks improved by up to €50/head at sales at Bandon and increases of up to €10/head at Kilkenny.
There was a buying spree for double punched bullocks at Ennis Mart yesterday where a top price of €509 over €/kg was paid for a 666kg Charolais bullock while several other lots sold at prices ranging from €350 over to €450 over €/kg.
There was certainly no lack of confidence in the heavy double punched bullocks with record prices being paid and no evident adjustment for the loss of the €80/head slaughter premia which ended on October 31.
Single punched bullocks sold for up to €500 over with prices ranging back to €300 over. Trade was also very strong for the beef heifers which sold for up to €300 over and ranging back to €100 over.
At Bandon strong prices were being paid for Friesian Bullocks which were improved by up to €50/head. Double punched bullocks made €130-€240 over and heavy single punched bullocks made €180-€300 over €/kg with the lighter bullocks selling for slightly less. Up to €200 over was paid for beef heifers.
There was almost 900 head on offer at Kilkenny where the quality store bullocks were dearer by €10/head and beef heifers were up €10-€15/head.
The double punched bullocks made €170-€380 over and the forward single punched sold for up to €400 over. Beef heifers made €180-€240 over and store heifers sold for €120-€200 over.
At Blessington Mart the punched out bullocks sold at €200-€300 over and heavy bullocks with a premia made €300-€400 over. Beef heifers made up to €225 over €/kg.
