Store cattle prices 'well ahead' of last week at Dungarvan Mart

In Dungarvan Mart on Monday (April 12) the trade had more of a bite to it and clients were more anxious to secure store cattle as manager Ger Flynn stated that prices were ‘well ahead’ of last week.

Giving his insight into the sale of 450 head of cattle, he said: “I suppose the improved prices for beef is bringing more positivity to the ringside, but another booster is the scarcity of cattle.

“The fact that factories are competing for heavy cattle and leaving a good price in the mart, this positivity is filtering down, helping the store trade as well in my opinion.

“All store cattle prices were stronger than last week – especially for heifers. The light bit of an Angus or Hereford store heifer under 400kg is commanding a good price at the minute.”

Sample heifer prices:

Angus: 480kg – €1,050 or €2.18/kg;
Hereford: 368kg – €810 or €2.20/kg;
Angus: 365kg – €860 or €2.35/kg;
Angus: 365kg – €840 or €2.30/kg;
Hereford: 317kg – €760 or €2.39/kg.

There were very few heavy cattle over 550kg at Dungarvan Mart this week.

Looking at the prices for the light continental store bull (under 450kg), these reached up to €2.66/kg.

Sample bullock prices:

Friesian: 559kg – €1,100 or €1.96/kg;
Angus: 545kg – €1,200 or €2.20/kg;
Limousin: 505kg – €1,290 or €2.55/kg;
Hereford: 470kg – €1,060 or €2.25/kg;
Limousin: 435kg – €1,130 or €2.59/kg;
Limousin: 386kg – €1,030 or €2.66/kg;
Angus: 300kg – €700 or €2.33/kg;
Hereford: 298kg – €660 or €2.21/kg.

Adding to his comments on the trade, Ger stated: “There was an excellent trade for dry cows – with quality suckler cows making up to €2/kg.”

In total there were 30 dry cows on offer this week – with Ger stating that the quality of the cows brought out over the past few weeks has been improving, as the cows seemed to be well dried-off.