Quality continental cattle continued to remain in demand in a number of marts around the country in recent days.

Noticeable demand was witnessed for weanling bulls weighing 350-400kg. These lots were particularly sought after by both farmers and exporters at the ringside.

Kilkenny Mart

A good yard of cattle attracted plenty of buyers at Thursday’s sale in Kilkenny Mart, Cillin Hill. Even though some ringside regulars were away on holiday, the mart’s auctioneer George Candler reported.

Some 800 cattle passed through the ring in Cillin Hill. There was a keen demand in particular for quality continental cattle.

Steers weighing 500-600kg sold for €1.85-2.50/kg or €450-850 over the weight. Heavier lots (600kg+) traded at €1.95-2.65/kg. A 920kg Hereford steer sold for €1,880 at the Co. Kilkenny venue. Stores peaked at €3.00/kg on the day.

Quality Friesian steers made over €2.15/kg, while the majority of the Friesian lots sold for €1.80-2.05/kg.

Heifer prices

Looking at heifer prices, beef heifers sold for €2.00-2.60/kg – peaking at €1,740/head. Forward stores traded at €570-900 over, while lighter lots (<400kg) made €2.00-2.70/kg or €350-650 with the weight.

A number of cull cows were also on offer on the day. Continental cull cows made €1.40-2.25/kg, while Friesians traded at €1.05-1.75/kg.

Raphoe Mart

There was an excellent trade for all types of cattle at last Thursday’s sale in Raphoe Mart, Co. Donegal. Farmers, butchers, shippers and factory agents were all very active at the ringside.

Top class bulls (600kg+) made €600-850 with the weight – down on the prices seen the previous week.

Steers were a similar trade and lots sold for €2.20-2.80/kg. Heifer prices were up slightly, achieving €2.20-3.10/kg or €500-875 with the weight.

Store cattle traded at €350-795 with the weight. A number of dry cows were also on offer and these lots sold for €600-1,950/head.

Ennis Mart

There was a strong demand for stock at Ennis Mart last Tuesday, according to the mart’s Danny Moran.

Quality weanling bulls, weighing 350-400kg, were particularly sought after as farmers and exporters were present at the ringside. It was a similar story in the heifer ring, Moran said.

A larger entry of calves to the previous week met a very strong trade. Continentals achieved prices up to €495/head.

Cows with calves at foot sold for €1,110-1,740/head at the Co. Clare venue.

Castlerea Mart

There was some 450 cattle on offer at last Thursday’s sale in Castlerea Mart, Co. Roscommon.

A strong trade remained and similar prices to last week’s sale were achieved, according to the mart’s Brendan Egan.

Dry cows traded at €1,350-1,645/head, while springers made €1,200-1,250/head on the day. In addition, cows with calves at foot sold for €1,100-1,650/head at the Co. Roscommon venue.

Thursday’s sale also featured a number of calves. Limousin bull calves traded at €365-405/head, while an Aberdeen Angus heifer calf and a Hereford bull calf made €340 and €290 respectively.