Double-punched bullocks in demand
The superb trade for the heavy double punched bullocks continues to surge ahead on the expectation that the prices for beef will peak over the coming weeks at a premium to current prices, upon which the purchasers of these animals are dependent for a margin on their deals.
A 675 kg double punched Charolais bullock at Athenry Mart topped the trade for the animals without a premium when sold for E1,200. Several other lots of heavy double punch bullocks made over E400 with /kg at the sale which recorded an improvement of 30/head for double punched bullocks.
At Fermoy Mart, the double punched bullocks made up to 315 over in "a very good trade" and sold for up to E320 over at Kanturk. The double punched ranged 32-400 over /kg at Kilmallock Mart on Monday, where there was an entry of 1,750 cattle which met with a fine trade and at Dungarvan Mart, where the trade was improved by 20-30/head the double punched sold for 200-300 over /kg.
The betting is on beef prices continuing to rise over the coming weeks or the purchasers of the top price double punched bullocks are going to find it hard to return evens.
There was 750 yearlings/weanlings at Ennis yesterday, where the strong trade of recent weeks was maintained. The continental weanlings with both premia available although it should be remembered that any of these less than 13 months old, born after April 31 2003, will not qualify for the 21 month SBP before the phasing out on December 31 2004 made 400-490 over E/kg. Continentals with one premia made up to 400 over. The tops of the Continental heifers made up to 300 over and Hereford heifers sold at 180-250 over.
