The Galway races had little impact on the cattle trade in Kilkenny Mart, Cillin Hill on Thursday, according to the Mart Auctioneer George Candler.
According to Candler, the cattle trade remained on par to the week previous, but there was a noticeable increase in the number of Friesian steers on offer.
Holstein type Friesian steers sold as low as €1.40/kg, he said, while the better quality British Friesian types traded up to €2.10/kg.
The bulk of quality continental steers sold from €2.10-2.60/kg, he said, with the odd lot selling up to €2.80/kg.
Candler said that beef heifers met a similar trade to last week, with lots selling from €1.90-2.45/kg, while the forward store heifers on offer traded from €1.90-2.70/kg.
The Mart Manager also said that cull cows met with a steadier trade, with Friesian culls trading from €1.00-1.60/kg, while the better quality continentals sold from €1.40-1.95/kg.
There was a larger sale of cattle on offer in Tullow Mart on Friday, according to the Mart Manager Eric Driver, with over 240 cattle passing through the ring.
Driver said that beef and store steers met with a very similar trade to the week before with, Friesian steers selling from €550-880 over or €2.10/kg.
Store steers sold briskly, he said, with the quality lots meeting a strong demand. These lots sold from €2.00-2.70/kg.
The Mart Manager said in-spec beef heifers met the best trade. Beef and forward heifers traded from €620-850 over, while the plainer Angus and Hereford heifers sold at €2/kg and the continental lots made up to €2.65/kg.
Further north in Raphoe Mart, Co. Donegal the Mart Manager Anne Harkin said there was a reasonable show of cattle up for sale on Thursday.
Harkin said that the trade for plainer types and out of spec cattle remained difficult, while quality in-spec lots were much more in demand. She said that the steers on offer sold from €2.00-2.40/kg, while similar type heifers traded from €2.20-2.60/kg.
Harkin also said that store steers sold from €400-415 over and the store heifers on offer made €400-715 over, while the beef heifers traded from €500-740 over.
There was 520 cattle on offer in Carnew Mart on Saturday, according to the Mart Manager David Quinn, with continental type cattle improving by €30-40/head
The Mart Manager said that beef and forward steers sold from €580-950 over, continental store cattle made €480-830 over, while Friesian stores traded from €250-830 over.
Looking at the heifers, Quinn said that beef heifers sold from €570-850 over while the store heifers on offer traded from €350-710 over.
Tullow Mart
Raphoe Mart
Carnew Mart