While there was a big sale of cattle at Kilkenny Mart at this week's sale - 1,200 on offer - the clearance rate was back on the previous week.

According to auctioneer George Candler, the clearance rate of 90%, compared to 97% the previous week, was down to two reasons.

"The fact that factory quotes have reduced by 10c/kg has created some negativity and the second factor was the quality of animals on offer were not as good as the previous week," Candler said.

However quality continentals were still in demand with the better types ranging from €4.50-6.20/kg, especially for the lighter types.

Earlier in the week (Tuesday, October 20) the mart's cull cow and weanling sale was a much more positive affair with the 150 cull cows on offer selling with a full clearance.

In the weanling sector, Charolais Limousin ranged from €4-6.20/kg for bulls with the heifer counterparts ranging €4.00-5.00/kg.

Aberdeen Angus and Hereford bulls ranged from €3.75-4.40/kg with their heifer counterparts €3.50-4.20/kg.

Friesian bulls saw prices range from €3.30-4.00kg and the weanling sector recorded a 96% clearance.

Cattle sale at Kilkenny Mart

While the Kilkenny auctioneer feels that the drop in factory quotes "is not helping confidence in the beef sector", there were still some strong purchases at Thursday's sale.

Quality continentals were still selling very well, in excess of €6/kg for lighter lots.

Some same purchases on the day are as follows:

One Charolais weighing 755kg sold for €2,820/head or €3.74/kg;
Two Charolais weighing 730kg sold for €3,040/head or €4.16/kg;
Three Hereford weighing 605kg sold for €1,990/head or €3.29/kg.

In the 500-600kg category some of the sample sales included:

One Limousin weighing 590kg sold for €2,780/head or €4.71/kg;
Two Friesians weighing 555kg sold for €1,820/head or €3.28/kg;
Nine Limousins weighing 515kg sold for €2,440/head or €4.74/kg.

The average price in the 400-500kg category was €3.75/kg or an average of €1,700/head.

Some sample purchases for this category are as follows:

Three Limousins weighing 495kg sold for €2,410/head or €4.87/kg;
Two Limousins weighing 465kg sold for €2,380/head or €5.12/kg;
Four Aberdeen Angus weighing 435kg sold for €1,610/head or €3.70/kg.

For those animals weighing less than 400kg the average price per kg was €4.05 or €1,446/head.

There was a 100% clearance rate of continental cull cows which ranged in price from €2.80-4.06/kg.

Beef heifers

The average purchase price for beef heifers at Kilkenny this week was €3.20-4.26/kg or €1,910-2,630/head.

Some sample purchases on the day included:

Two Simmentals weighing 675kg sold for €2,380/head or €3.53/kg;
Two Charolais weighing 630kg sold for €2,610/head or €4.14/kg;
One Friesian weighing 600kg sold for €1,910/head or €3.18.

Forward store and light store heifers

The average price paid for forward stores at the sale was €1,780/head or €3.80/kg.

Light store heifers went for an average price of €1,220/head or €3.40/kg.