Cattle prices on road to recovery

There was a strengthening of cattle prices at the marts yesterday with a very firm trade for the good store animals reported as prices recovered from the drop last week.

Bullock prices were improved by €20/head at Athenry Mart with a similar improvement in heifer prices for quality stock.

Numbers of cattle on offer were down on last week - largely attributed to the attraction of the National Ploughing Championships for many livestock farmers - but demand was exceptionally strong with up to €410 over /kg being paid for the tops of the single punched forward bullocks.