Cattle prices are continuing on strong footing at marts around the country with relatively settled weather conditions and a firm beef trade throughout September helping to underpin confidence in the trade.
High levels of export buyer activity for certain specifications of cattle are also a boost to the trade and confidence on cattle price remains high heading into the final quarter of the year.
In Kilkenny Mart on Thursday, September 26, heifers weighing below 400kg averaged €2.23/kg or €795/head and ranged in price from €1.38/kg (€420/head) to €3.09/kg (€1,130/head).
In the 400-500kg weight bracket, heifers averaged €2.62/kg or €1,153/head and ranged in price from €1.67/kg (€700/head) to €3.41/kg (€1,600/ head).
Heifers weighing from 500-600kg averaged €2.75 or €1,474/head and ranged from €1.73/kg (€880/head) to €3.35/kg (€1,790/head).
In the bullock sale at Kilkenny Mart, light steers below 400kg averaged €2.26/kg or €809/head and ranged from €1.58/kg (€420/head) to €3.24/kg (€1,200/head).
Bullocks in the 400-500kg weight bracket averaged €2.59/kg or €1,165/head and ranged from €1.93/kg (€800/head) to €3.57/kg (€1,700/head).
Bullocks weighing from 500-600kg averaged €2.81/kg or €1,530/head or from €2.02/kg (€1,130/head) to €3.50/kg (€1,820/head). Heavy bullocks weighing over 600kg averaged €2.78/kg.
Sample prices from Tullow Mart on Friday, September 27:
Carnew Mart in Co. Wicklow hosted its annual weanling show and sale on Wednesday, September 25 with 576 weanling heifers and bulls on offer in the sale.
According to Carnew Mart’s Eugene Clune: “The yard was filled with outstanding quality weanlings that were a credit to the farmers.
Weanling heifer prices:
- 290kg Belgian Blue bull sold for €1,710;
- 464kg Belgian Blue bull sold for €2,360;
- 398kg Limousin bull sold for €1,600;
- Five Charolais bulls weighing 279kg sold for €900 each;
- Parthenaise bull weighing 438kg sold for €1,360.
“The quality stock met a magnificent trade with exporters, factory agents and farmers battling it out ringside and online,” he added.
Weanling bull prices:
- 528kg Belgian Blue bull sold for €2,300;
- 296kg Belgian Blue bull sold for €1,180;
- 346kg Charolais bull sold for €1,370;
- 374kg Limousin bull sold for €1,480;
- 434kg Limousin bull sold for €1,700.
The heifer weanlings saw a top price of €1,710 for a 290kg Belgian Blue-cross making €5.90/kg and bull weanlings saw a top price of €2,300 for a 528kg Belgian Blue making €4.35/kg.
“The bull trade was super, with almost all bulls making the €3.00/kg mark or above and €3.50-3.60/kg common place for farmers bulls,” Clune stressed.