Live trade improvement continues
Strong supplies of cattle and an increase of up to 20/head is setting the trend for a strong ending to the year's live trade. Some of the buying strength for stores is being driven by farmers, with tax years ending on December 31 building up stock numbers at the last opportunity before the end of the year.
Kilmallock Mart reported a strong trade with prices all-round improved by 10-E20/head with a good supply of cattle on offer and plenty of buyers. There was also a firm trade at Kanturk, where forward single punched bullocks sold for up to 320 over and lighter weights topping at 300 over. Up to 120 over was paid for beef heifers and stores sold at 80-100 over /kg. Across to the west, with prices of up to 425 over being paid for single punched bullocks, was a reflection of the strength of demand at Athenry Mart, where several lots of heavy bullocks topped 350 over /kg with one premia left. Top price went for a single punched Charolais 555 kgs sold for 980. Other strong prices for single punched included a Limousin 550 kgs selling for 920, a Charolais 500 kgs sold for 870 a blue Hereford 420kgs making 780 and two Limousin 452 kgs selling for 800.
