Cattle marts: Numbers on the increase as grass growth slows
Falling grass growth rates have resulted in more cattle being offered for sale in recent days; leading to unseasonable increases in stock numbers in some marts across the country.
Despite the higher level of throughput, exporters continue to make their presence felt at the ringside. These buyers have been particularly focused on buying heifers to fill a shipment to Turkey.
Castlerea mart
Some 450 cattle were on offer at last Thursday’s sale in Castlerea Mart, according to the mart manager, Brendan Egan.
Egan said that the quality of cattle present at last Thursday’s sale had improved on the previous week and every class of animal traded strongly. Store steers and heifers met with a particularly strong trade, he said.
Exporters also continued to make their presence felt around the ringside and were keen to purchase weanlings on the day.
A number of cows also passed through the ring on Thursday; in-calf cows made up to €1,270/head, while cows with calves at foot sold for €1,010-1,850.
Ennis mart
There was a strong trade for all types of cattle at last Thursday’s sale in Ennis Mart, according to the mart’s Danny Moran.
The sale consisted of a large entry of steers in the 30-month bracket, he said. Store steers weighing up to 500kg sold for €2.37-3.13/kg, while the forward lots made €2.12-2.55/kg.
Fat heifers also remained in demand on the day. Lots weighing over 550kg made €2.59/kg. The lighter classes traded at €2.07-2.59/kg.
A number of store cows were also on offer and these lots sold for €1.22-2.18/kg.
Balla mart
Light heifers (200-400kg), under 13-months-old, traded well at last Saturday’s sale in Balla Mart, according to the mart’s Anthony Murphy.
Trade is still being driven by Turkish export buyers trying to fill the boat for next week. Black and red Limousins, along with Belgian Blue heifers, are desired by these export buyers.
In total, 200 lots of heifers passed through the ring last Saturday. Heifers weighing 400-500kg averaged €2.35/kg. Those in the 500kg+ category sold for €2.34/kg and heifers weighing 200-400kg sold for an average price of €2.83/kg.
Some 108 cows were also entered on the day. The best of these was a Limousin cow with a Limousin heifer calf at foot. This pair sold for €2,050.
