Autumn store trade builds at marts

Marts: There was a firmer tone to cattle prices at yesterday’s mart sales, with supplies increased at most centres as the autumn store trade builds.

There was a larger sale of cattle at Bandon Mart, where bullocks and heifers met with an improved trade, and there was lively trade for cull cows for feeding and slaughtering.

There were few punched out bullocks on offer, but those at the sale made €150-€230 over €/kg. The medium weight single punched bullocks made up to €335 over. A 460kg Simmental sold for €795, and a lot of four Simmentals weighing 478kgs made €800. A lot of two Friesians weighing 347kgs sold for €490.

Bullocks with clean ears made up to €420 over €/kg. Heifer trade improved, with heavy heifers selling at €150-€240 over €/kg and lighter stores making €120-€170 over. Heavy cull cows made up to €95 over €/kg.

There was 570 head on offer at Kilkenny Mart with a firm trade for all class, and last week’s prices were well maintained. Double punched bullocks sold for €240-€300 over. Forward single punched made up to €456 over. A lot of four Charolais weighing 532kgs with a premia available sold for €970 and a lot of eight Charolais weighing 534kgs made €990. Two Limousin weighing 433kgs made €840. Lighter bullocks with a premia made up to €320 over. A 520kg Limousin sold for €820 while a 556kg Simmental sold for €850, and a Limousin weighing 560kgs made €820. Store heifers made up to €176 over €/kg.

Numbers of weanlings at Athenry were similar to last week with the quality stock meeting with a firm trade at up to €450 over €/kg for the bulls, while the tops of the heifers sold for up to €215 over.

At Blessington Mart, the forward store bullocks with a premia made up to €450 over, with lighter single punched selling at up to €350 over.