There was a much sharper trade for continental cattle in Kilkenny Mart, Cillin Hill on Thursday, according to the Mart’s Auctioneer George Candler.

Candler said that the limited number of beef steers, heifers and cull cows helped to keep the trade solid in the Kilkenny venue.

The Auctioneer said that quality steers meet with a sharper trade, but like last week, the plainer Friesian steers were harder to sell.

Fleshed beef steers (+600kg) were in more demand, he said, with these lots trading from €1.90-2.40/kg, while forward steers (500-600kg) sold from €1.70-2.60/kg or €550-820 over.

Store cattle weighing 400-500kg made €1.75-2.96/kg, while the lighter classes (<400kg) made €1.60-3.17/kg or €250-720 over.

Sample steer prices:
  • Angus: 655kg – €1,405 or €2.15/kg
  • Limousin: 620kg – €1,485 or €2.40/kg
  • Belgian Blue: 585kg – €1,360 or €2.32/kg
  • Limousin: 480kg – €1,320 or €2.75/kg
  • Angus: 395kg – €940 or €2.38/kg
  • Friesian: 385kg – €760 or €1.97/kg

Candler also said there was strong demand for beef heifers, these lots sold from €2.10-2.50/kg, while forward store heifers made €2.10-2.75/kg. Store heifers traded from €2.00-2.90/kg or €400-680 over.

The Auctioneer also said that cull cows sold well, with continental cows making €1.40-2.05/kg and the plainer Friesian culls traded from €1.00-1.75/kg.

Sample heifer prices:
  • Limousin: 550kg – €1,360 or €2.47/kg
  • Hereford: 525kg – €1,175 or €2.24/kg
  • Limousin: 510kg – €1,270 or €2.49/kg
  • Belgian Blue: 490kg – €1,170 or €2.39/kg
  • Limousin: 360kg – €1,030 or €2.86/kg
  • Hereford: 350kg – €780 or €2.23/kg

Raphoe Mart

A larger than expected sale was held in Raphoe Mart on Thursday, according to the Mart Manager Anne Harkin, with an improved trade for plainer cattle.

Harkin said that store steers sold from €2.20-2.70/kg, with the lighter lots selling up to €3/kg. A similar price was also achieved for store heifers. These lots made €2.30-2.75/kg.

Fat cows also remain in good demand in the Donegal venue and these lots traded from €1.60-1.90/kg, while cows suitable for further feeding made €700-1,200 each.

Raphoe sample prices:
  • Beef steers: €650-815 over
  • Store steers: €450-840 over
  • Beef heifers: €550-850 over
  • Store heifers: €300-750 over
  • Dry cows: €700-1,340