Store cattle trade remains robust

Marts: The trade for store cattle is continuing very strongly with larger entries reported from several areas as the Autumn seasonal demand gets into swing.

Quality forward store bullocks with premia met a keen demand at marts at Cahir, Ennis, Bandon and Kilkenny, but the trade for heifers has eased.

The quality single- punched store bullocks made up to €340 over €/kg at Cahir Mart, making up to €300 over at Bandon Mart and topping €400 over at Ennis Mart where there was a large entry of 900 cattle yesterday.

Up to €900 was paid for 500kg single punched top- quality bullocks at Ennis.

More medium weight ranges sold from €250 over to €350 over five Limousin 446 making €722, three Charolais 512kg selling for €855 and three Limousin 463kg making €738.

A few lots of double- punched continental bullocks made exceptional prices at Ennis.-Charolais 718kg selling for €1,035.

The more general run of prices ranged €160-€230 over. Heifers were easier making from €120 over to €165 over €/kg.

Bullock numbers were similar to last week with more heifers on offer at Bandon yesterday, where both sexes made solid trade. The heavy single- punched bullocks made up to €300 over and beef and butcher heifers ranged €110 to €160 over €/kg.

There was a bigger entry of weanlings at Athenry where €805 was paid for a 330kg Charolais. Prices ranged back to €300 over.

Weanling heifers made from €100 over to €200 over. At Kilkenny entry 810 head single-punched bullocks made up to €363 over and beef heifers up to €2409 over.

Martin Ryan