Kilkenny Mart held its weekly cattle sale on Thursday (July 30), where 550 cattle went through the ring, with numbers down on last week as grass supplies reach a "critical" point.

The bullock ring saw big variations in trade, with heavier cattle over 600kg holding steady with an average of €3.54/kg and €2,517/head.

The top sale went to a Limousin bull weighing 1,015kg sold for €3,700 at €3.65/kg.

Below are further sample prices for heavy bullocks on the day:

Two 835kg Angus bullocks sold for €3.19/kg at €2,660/head;
Two 783kg Angus bullocks sold for €3.49/kg at €2,730/head;
Five Charolais bullocks weighing on average 730kg sold for €3.75/kg at €2,740/head;
Four Friesian bullocks weighing on average 670kg sold for €3.28 at €2,200/head.

Bullocks in the 500-600kg range saw average prices drop to €3.45/kg (26c decrease) with the average per head at €1,855.

Two 595kg Hereford bullocks sold for €2,400/head at €4.03/kg.

Other impressive sales included the €4.28/kg paid for two 565kg Charolais bullocks totalling €2,418/head, while three 515kg Charolais bullocks sold for €2,200/head at €4.27/kg.

Bullocks in the 400-500kg range saw prices remain relatively steady, with the top call of €2,360/head for two 495kg Charolais bullocks at €4.77/kg.

Some other notable sales in the 400-500kg range include:

Six Angus bullocks weighing on average 480kg made €3.50/kg, totalling €1,680/head;
Four Hereford bullocks weighing on average 470kg made €3.79/kg, totalling €1,780/head;
Four Limousin bullocks weighing on average 460kg made €4.09/kg, totalling €1,880/head;
Six Angus bullocks weighing on average 435kg made €3.52/kg, totalling €1,530/head.

Light stores bullocks in Kilkenny weighing less than 400kg saw prices drop to €3.65 (51c decrease) and averaged €1,270/head, down over €100/head on last week.

Some sample prices from this category include:

A 373kg Limousin bullock made €4.50/kg, totalling €1,680;
Two 365kg Limousin bullocks made €4.03/kg, totalling €1,470/head;
Four Angus bullocks weighing on average 355kg made €3.52/kg, totalling €1,250.

Cull cows and heifers

Cull cows saw a full clearance for the 60 that went through the ring.

The price remained in line with last week's as Friesian culls ranged from €1.80-€3.20/kg, while continentals saw prices up to €3.90/kg.

Beef heifers saw the best of the trade as heavy heifers saw prices jump 14c to €3.68/kg and averaged €2,411/head.

The top trade of €2,860 went to a 745kg Charolais heifer sold for €3.45/kg.

Another 725kg Charolais heifer made €2,840 at €3.92/kg, while two 690kg Belgian Blue heifers sold for €2,540/head at €3.68/kg.

Forward store heifers saw some good trades. Two 495kg Limousin heifers sold for €1,890/head at €3.82/kg. Another three Angus heifers weighing on average 480kg made €1,720/head at €3.58/kg.

Two Charolais heifers weighing on average 445kg sold for €4.04/kg at €1,800/head.

Light store heifers took a 34c hit as average price dropped to €3.60/kg. This was the second week of consecutive cuts after an impressive month of trading.

Other notable prices for light store heifers include:

Three Hereford heifers weighing on average 390kg made €3.46/kg totalling €1,350/head;
Two 370kg Charolais heifers made €4.57/kg totalling €1,690/head.
Six Angus heifers weighing on average 360kg made €3.33/kg totalling €1,200/head;
Two 340kg Limousin heifers made €4.21/kg totalling €1,430/head.

In a report published after the sale, Kilkenny Mart auctioneer George Candler noted that there was reduced demand for store cattle with the lack of grass being "the main negative".

Candler also pointed to higher stocked farmers approaching breaking point, with rain badly needed to kickstart the trade or further price slides are inevitable.

He said: "This situation also means that there is no pressure on factories to increase quotes.

"As I said last week, we need rain badly."