410 animals went through the ring at Kilkenny Mart which held its weekly cattle sale on Thursday, June 18.

The number of animals was up on the previous week's numbers.

Speaking to Agriland after the sale, auctioneer George Candler described the trade as "somewhat sharper all-round" with another good clearance rate.

Cattle weighing 600kg or more saw a minor improvement on average price paid per kg with a €0.05/kg increase to €3.51/kg. The average price paid for these bullocks was €2,320/head.

A pen of nine Herefords weighing on average 675kg made €2,490/head or €3.69/kg;
A pen of four Angus weighing on average 610kg made €2,250/head or €3.69/kg;
A pen of eight Friesians weighing on average 670kg made €2,310/head or €3.45/kg.

The 500-600kg bullocks saw prices hold firm with last week. On the day, the top price paid went to a 500kg Limousin bullock that made €4.52/kg, totalling €2,260.

The lighter store bullocks (under 400kg) saw price recover marginally to €3.98/kg after last week's fall.

Two Charolais bullocks weighing 390kg each, made €1,830/head or €4.69/kg;
A pen of six Friesians weighing on average 335kg, made €3.10/kg;
A pen of four Angus weighing on average 345kg made €1,370/head or €3.97/kg.

Heifers and cull cows

Heifers saw significant improvement across the board with both lighter and forward store heifers seeing big jumps. Candler remarked that "quality lots are selling well".

Beef heifers averaged €3.55/kg, an increase of €0.07/kg on last week.

The top price on the day for beef heifers was for a 675kg Belgian Blue heifer that made €2,600 or €3.85/kg.

A 560kg Belgian Blue heifer fetched the top price per kg for beef heifers making €4.36/kg, totalling €2,440.

Forward store heifers saw average prices jump by 35c to €4.13. The top price went to a 495kg Limousin heifer that made €2,250 or €4.55/kg.

A pen of four Charolais heifers averaging 475kg, made €1,960/head or €4.13/kg;
Two Belgian Blues averaging 490kg made €1,860 each or €3.80/kg.

Light store heifers saw the average price break the €4.00/kg after week-on-week improvements from €3.50/kg at the beginning of the month.

A pen of four Charolais heifers averaging 345kg made €5.22/kg on average totalling €1,800/head.

A pen of seven Angus heifers averaging 325kg made €1,240/kg or €3.82/kg.

Cull cows also experienced a good trade with Friesian cows going from €2.15/kg up to €3.43/kg. Continental cull cows made up to €3.85/kg on the day.

Scarcity concerns are being highlighted by Candler, who expressed apprehension that the number of cattle in each of the lots is reduced, with numbers down significantly on this time last year.

Commenting on how this will impact marts into the future if the trend of reduced supply of cattle into the ring continues, Candler said that "an overall review will have to be seriously looked at for survival (of marts)".