Pics and prices: Lighter continental stock in demand at Kilkenny Mart

A large cattle sale, consisting of 1,050 animals, was witnessed in Kilkenny Mart, Cillin Hill, on Thursday last (April 5). Both farmers and feedlot agents competed for stock at the ringside.

The mart manager Michael Lynch outlined that the trade was buoyant considering the adverse weather conditions that we are experiencing at the moment. In addition, he explained that the trade has remained in a positive position given the fodder situation on some farms across the country.

He said: “The cull cow trade is hopping; there is also a strong demand for short-keep heifers and bullocks. Grass buyers have started to emerge slowly; farmers who have large numbers to source have been active in recent days.

“We have seen a steady increase in the numbers and I would expect this to increase going forward,” he explained.

George Candler, the mart’s auctioneer, added that there was a remarkably good trade – especially for continental types in both the bullock and heifer rings.

He also outlined that the prices show great resilience due to farmers purchasing cattle in the present weather conditions.

Bullocks

The trade was very brisk for quality bullocks. Beef bullocks sold for €1.80-2.42/kg, while forward store lots traded for €765-1,450/head or €1.60-2.62/kg.

Prices achieved by lighter animals varied depending on quality. Good-quality steers sold to a top price of €3.11/kg. Plainer steers – particularly of dairy origin – proved a more difficult trade.

In the steer ring, a top price of €1,155 was achieved by a Charolais bullock weighing 370kg.

: This 665kg, March-2016 born, Simmental steer sold for €1,440 or €2.16/kg

: These 613kg, April-2016 born, Simmental bullocks made €1,200 or €1.95/kg

: These 528kg, March-2016 born, Limousin bullocks sold for €1,200 or €2.27/kg

: This 635kg, February-2016 born, Friesian steer made €1,260 or €2.00/kg

: These 473kg, February-2017 born, Charolais steers made €1,120 or €2.36/kg

: These 515kg, February-2017 born, Charolais bullocks made €1,120 or €2.17/kg

: This 435kg, July-2017 born, Charolais bullock sold for €1,050 or €2.41/kg

: This 455kg, July-2016 born, Aberdeen Angus bullock made €1,050 or €2.30/kg

: These 400kg, April and July-2016 born, Charolais bullocks made €985 or €2.46/kg

: These 493kg, August and October-2016 born, Charolais steers sold for €1,160 or €2.35/kg

: These 430kg, April and July-2016 born, Charolais bullocks made €1,075 or €2.50/kg

: This 505kg, February-2016 born, Limousin bullock sold for €1,170 or €2.31/kg

: This 535kg, January-2016 born, Charolais bullock sold for €1,270 or €2.37/kg

: This 490kg, February-2016 born, Simmental bullock made €800 or €1.79/kg

: This 450kg, February-2016 born, Aberdeen Angus bullock sold for €1,030 or €2.28/kg

Heifers

Quality heifers also met a good trade. The heavier lots made €2.00-2.50/kg, €1.80-2.70/kg was paid for the forward store lots and the lighter store classes (<400kg) made €1.70-2.95/kg.

A top-price of €1,095 was achieved by two Limousin heifers; they weighed 395kg.

: These 318kg, March and April-2017 born, Limousin heifers made €880 or €2.76/kg

: These 305kg, February and May-2017 born, Charolais heifers sold for €900 or €2.95/kg

: These 365kg, February and March-2017 born, Charolais heifers sold for €900 or €2.46/kg

: These 530kg, 4-star, April and June-2016 born, Aberdeen Angus heifers sold for €1,155 or €2.17/kg

: This 340kg, June-2017 born, Saler heifer sold for €835 or €2.45/kg

: This 395kg, April-2017 born, Saler heifer sold for €830 or €2.10/kg

: This 415kg, October-2016 born, Limousin heifer sold for €1,045 or €2.51/kg

: This 500kg, 4-star, March-2016 born, Limousin heifer made €1,160 or €2.32/kg

: These 532kg, March and April-2016 born, Limousin heifers sold for €1,240 or €2.33/kg

: This 560kg, May-2016 born, Charolais heifer sold for €1,290 or €2.30/kg

: This 685kg, 4-star, August-2015 born, Charolais heifer made €1,460 or €2.13/kg

: This 455kg, 4-star, May-2016 born, Limousin heifer made €1,065 or €2.34/kg

: This 465kg, April-2016 born, Charolais heifer sold for €930 or €2.00/kg

: This 545kg, April-2016 born, Limousin heifer sold for €1,195 or €2.19/kg

: This 460kg, April-2016 born, Limousin heifer made €1,180 or €2.56/kg

: This 400kg, June-2016 born, Limousin heifer sold for €980 or €2.45/kg

: These 328kg, March and April-2017 born, Charolais heifers made €960 or €2.92/kg

: These 274kg, March and June-2017 born, Charolais heifers sold for €870 or €3.17/kg

Cows

A number of cows also went under the hammer at the Kilkenny-based venue. The trade was brisk from start to finish. Friesian lots traded for €0.90-1.85/kg, while continental types sold for €1.25-2.15/kg.