Cattle marts: Prices improve on the pre-Christmas period
Cattle marts are getting back into full swing following the Christmas break and – for the most part – have kicked off to a positive note.
Mart managers are reporting a generally good trade, with many suggesting that activity has increased around the ring. They have also noted that prices have improved on the pre-Christmas period.
Ennis Mart
Numbers were reported to be stronger than expected at Ennis Mart on Thursday last (January 11); 200 cull cows went under the hammer.
A very strong trade for forward stock in all categories was reported by the mart’s Danny Moran.
“A reasonable entry of bulls met a very strong demand and these lots traded for €2-2.25/kg,” he explained.
He said: “Light stores were scarce overall, but it was the quality stock that dominated the trade.”
In addition, there was a large entry of cull cows; some of these lots exceeded €2/kg.
Castlerea Mart
Some 350 cattle were presented for sale at Castlerea Mart, Co. Roscommon, on Thursday (January 11) at the first sale of 2018. The trade was reported as good for all categories of stock.
Store heifers and bullocks, in particular, proved to be very popular with these lots achieving the highest prices on the day.
On the day, top-quality weanlings proved to be popular. These lots achieved prices higher than the pre-Christmas period.
According to the mart’s Brendan Egan, cows with calves at foot made up to €2,100/head and in-calf cows traded for €850-1,365/head.
The dry cow trade held firm, he added, with good-quality cows making in excess of €2/kg.
Raphoe Mart
Last Thursday’s sale in Raphoe Mart, Co. Donegal – the first sale of the year – featured a large entry of cattle, according to the mart’s Anne Harkin.
There was a lively trade with many keen buyers in attendance.
On the day, store cattle proved to be very popular. A top-quality bullock weighing 775kg sold for €1,880 or €2.42/kg.
Top-class bulls (weighing over 600kg) sold at €600-1,110 over, the mart manager stated. Beef bullocks made €600-1,105 over and lighter store steers sold for €400-800/kg.
Beef heifers made €550-1,005 over and store heifers traded at €350-670 over or €2.10-2.80/kg. Fat, well-fleshed cows sold at €700-1,780/head.
Kilkenny Mart
A large cattle sale, consisting of 750 animals, was witnessed in Kilkenny Mart, Cillin Hill, on Thursday last, according to the mart’s George Candler.
Some 245 cull cows went under the hammer and a 99% clearance rate was achieved. Friesian lots traded for €0.85-1.90/kg, while continental types sold for €1.25-2.30/kg.
In addition, he said, prices were similar – in some cases – to returns achieved during the pre-Christmas period.
Quality heifers also met a good trade. The heavier lots made €2.00-2.46/kg, €1.80-2.55/kg was paid for the forward store lots and the lighter store classes (<400kg) made €1.80-2.75/kg.
In the steer ring, George said, quality beef and forward store lots sold well and the majority traded at €1.60-2.53/kg.
Carnew Mart
Some 930 cattle went under the hammer in Carnew Mart, Co. Wicklow, on Saturday (January 13). 100 calves also passed through the ring.
David Quinn, the mart manager, said that all cattle met a strong trade, with bull weanlings achieving improved prices. A 100% clearance rate was recorded on the day.
On the day, store bullocks made €550-1,040 over, while Friesian steers sold for €140-630 along with their weight. Heifers were reported to trade well; stores made €350-820 over.
Beef cows fetched €400-860 over, while store cows made a top price of €450 over or €1.75/kg.
