There was a good yard of cattle on offer in Kilkenny Mart on Thursday, according to the Mart Auctioneer George Candler, resulting in a solid trade for quality lots.
But, like previous week’s plain cattle were a little bit more difficult to sell due to the lack of grass.
However, Candler was optimistic that the improved weather that has been seen over the last couple of days may result in a better trade in plain cattle in the coming weeks.
Beef cattle prices remained similar to last week, with heavy steers selling from €2.00-2.60/kg or €400-970 over. Beef heifers traded from €2.00-2.40/kg or €500-910 over.
Looking at the stores, steers weighing 500-600kg made €1.90-2.65/kg, while the lighter store steers weighing in the region of 400-500kg sold from €1.90-2.90/kg or €380-810 over.
In the heifer ring, forward store heifers traded from €2.00-2.70/kg, while the lighter store heifers made €1.90-2.80/kg.
Candler also said that cows are starting to appear in larger numbers. The better quality continentals sold for €1.35-2.19/kg, while the plainer Friesians made €0.90-1.75/kg.
Like Kilkenny, plainer cattle where harder to sell in Raphoe Mart on Thursday, according to the Mart Manager Anne Harkin.
Harkin said there was a good entry of cattle on offer on Thursday, with the better quality continuing to meet a good trade.
The best of the steers on offer sold from €2.40-2.70/kg and similar type heifers made €2.30-2.75/kg. Cull cows in the Donegal venue traded from €800-1,430 each.
The Donegal mart also held a weanling sale on Tuesday and Harkin said there trade was brisk for all types of stock due to a strong buyer presence.
The lighter bull weanlings meet the best trade, with lots weighing 200-300kg trading from €2.66-3.20/kg. The heavy weanling bulls (400-500kg) sold from €2.40-2.70/kg.
Raphoe Cattle Mart