Mart report: Strong demand for heavier store animals

In this article, we bring you a round up of some of the mart reports from sales that took place across the country last week.

The trade has seen continued demand from buyers for heavier, quality store animals, with many marts reporting that forward steers and heifers are trading well.

Raphoe Mart

A clearance rate of 92% was recorded from a total of 267 cattle entered for sale (Thursday, October 15) at Raphoe Mart.

Commenting on the trade, mart manager Ann Harkin said: “The trade has improved on last week with plenty of demand and competition around the ring.”

Bulls sold from €1.70/kg to €2.20/kg. Bullocks for sale on the day traded from €1.80/kg to €2.50/kg. The heifer trade saw a similar range in prices – from €1.80/kg to €2.50/kg.

Ann explained: “Quality in-spec cattle are in demand amongst buyers.”

She added: “The cow trade was very good, with northern buyers helping to boost the trade alongside local farmers.”

Finishing cows sold for €880/head to €1,740/head.

Kilkenny Mart

Kilkenny mart (Thursday, October 15) saw a large number of entries with a total of 1,150 cattle offered for sale.

Reflecting on demand, mart auctioneer George Candler explained: “The major demand was for the more forward store continental bullocks and beef types.”

Turning his thoughts to the steer trade, Friesian bullocks ranged from €1.45/kg to €1.80/kg. Angus bullocks saw a range of €1.70/kg to €2.15/kg. Heavier steers commanded prices from €1.80/kg to €2.40/kg.

Forward store bullocks met a trade ranging from €1.70/kg to €2.40/kg.

Lighter store bullocks saw a trade that ranged from €1.65/kg to €2.55/kg for steers (with weights from 400kg to 500kg). Store bullocks weighing below 400kg ranged from €1.70/kg to €2.40/kg.

Commenting on the heifer trade, George noted that “plain heifers were more difficult to sell, except for top-quality continental [animals] with good confirmation”.

He added: “Buyers were more selective this week, compared to other weeks.”

Forward heifers, close to their finishing period, achieved a price range of €1.70/kg to €2.35/kg.

The heifer trade also saw more forward store types reach a price range of €1.70/kg to €2.30/kg. Lighter stores achieved prices from €1.70/kg to €2.75/kg.

Cull cows “remained a steady trade” according to George, with continental types achieving €1.20/kg to €2.05/kg. Friesian cull cows made €0.85/kg to €1.65/kg.

Castlerea Mart

Castlerea Mart held its weekly steer sale on Monday, October 12. Brendan Egan, mart manager, said: “There were increased numbers presented for sale this week.”

Commenting on the trade for bullocks, Brendan noted: “Quality stores were in good demand, while lesser quality animals were a little easier – but overall a good clearance took place.”

On Thursday, October 15, the mart held its weekly cattle sale, with “high numbers of stock” presented for auction. Brendan commented on this sale, saying: “Trade for quality stock is holding well, but plainer type stock are tending to be harder sold this week.”

The sale included cows with calves at foot, which made from €820/head to €1,510/head.

According to Brendan: “The dry cow trade remained similar to last week’s sale.”