Kilkenny Mart held its tender cattle sale on Thursday last, April 23. George Candler, the mart’s auctioneer, said that the sale was the most successful one to date, with over 100 buyers in the market for cattle.

“The trade was much firmer with cull cows increasing by €20 to €40/head, with Friesian bullocks peaking at €1.80/kg. There was also more interest in forward store bullocks and heifers, with a lot of top-quality Limousin bullocks – weighing approximately 520kg – making €1,300.

“Quality Aberdeen Angus and Hereford bullocks and heifers were also in demand with a top call of €2.07/kg for Angus bullocks, with their heifer counterparts at €2.00/kg.

“The bulk of Angus and Hereford bullocks ranged from €1.75/kg to €2.11/kg,” he noted.

On the day, the heavier heifer lots made €1.90-2.25/kg or €980-1,685/head; €1.80-2.37/kg or €880-1,070/head was paid for the forward store lots; and the lighter store classes (<400kg) made €1.70-2.35/kg or €580-820/head.

In the steer ring, lots weighing 600kg or over sold at €1.60-2.10/kg or €960-1,410/head, while bullocks weighing 500-600kg made €1.85-2.50/kg or €1,020-1,300/head.

In the 400-500kg bracket, steers made €1.75-2.25/kg or €880-1,020/head and the lighter lots – weighing 400kg or less – sold at €1.60-2.50/kg or €500-920/head.

In the cow ring, Friesian cull cows traded for €1.15-1.35/kg, while continental types sold for €1.35-1.75/kg.