Kilkenny Mart auctioneer George Candler has surmised the current sentiment in the beef sector, saying: "Nobody seems to know what direction the cattle trade will go."

Speaking after the general cattle sale at the mart venue on Thursday (October 29), Candler said that "a lift in factory quotes might instil a bit more confidence but, at the moment, nobody seems to know what direction the cattle trade will go.

"As usual in the livestock trade, it’s a guessing game," he said.

Cattle trade and prices paid at Kilkenny Mart

There were approximately 1,000 cattle on offer at the most recent sale with the number of cattle on offer back slightly on the previous week.

Candler noted: "Plain cattle were more difficult to sell as were Friesians, with a lot of the lesser weights in this sector ranging from €2.90-€3.30/kg and better, sharper types such as the British Friesian types  ranging from €3.30-€3.60/kg.

Commenting on prices, Candler said: "The trade for plainer types and Friesians showed a reduction of €20-€60/head on last week's trading.

Despite the dip in prices for plainer-type cattle easing, there was a 98% clearance in the bullock ring and a 96% clearance of the cattle in the heifer ring.

Heavy bullocks over 600kg averaged €3.85/kg or €2,500/head.

An 870kg Charolais bullock sold for €3,380 or €3.89/kg. Two 615kg Hereford bullocks sold for €2,300/head or €3.74/kg.

500-600kg bullocks averaged €3.70/kg or €2,020/head. Three Friesian bullocks weighing 530kg sold for €1,750/head or €3.30/kg.

Five Hereford bullocks weighing 515kg sold for €2,150/head or €4.17/kg.

400-500kg bullocks averaged €3.60/kg or €1,590/head. Five Angus bullocks weighing 485kg made €1,670/head or €3.44/kg.

Bullocks under 400kg averaged €4.05/kg or €1,395/head. Four Friesian bullocks with an average weight of 343kg made €1,120 or €3.27/kg.

Two Angus bullocks weighing 393kg made €1,510/head or €3.84/kg.

There were 110 cull cows in the sale, with Friesian cull cows making from €1.60-€3.20/kg and beef breed cows making from €2.70-€4.15/kg.

Beef heifers averaged €3.75/kg while forward store heifers averaged €3.85/kg and light store heifers averaged €3.75/kg.