Renewed optimism pushes prices on at Kilcullen
PART of the reason for the surge in mart prices is the belief among farmers that the overhang of factory supplies from last autumn’s protests has now gone, says Kilcullen Mart manager John Osborne.
“Men believe that supplies of finished stock going forward will be reduced going into spring/summer and that has bred optimism. They are banking on filling a want.”
Filling that potential demand comes at a price, with the better continental forward store bullock here selling from €2.20/kg to a top of €2.45/kg, as in the case of four 510kg Charolais. Best of the Friesians were six, also at 510kg, that sold for €1.79/kg.
The biggest change that John sees this year concerns Angus and Hereford types. “With the decline in numbers coming from the suckler side, some of our customers seem to be
This pair of 2015 Charolais-cross bullocks weighing 890kg sold for €1,545 apiece moving to Hereford and Angus.”
Has this move helped prices? “Definitely, back in the autumn your Angus bullock was doing well to make €I.70-1.80/kg — today €2/kg is what’s expected.”
John pointed out that at €2/kg those switching are making their factory cheques go further, plus overall finishing costs are lower and turnaround times are quicker.
The four movements rule was one of the issues that helped close factories last autumn. Still in place, it restricted the price of two 551kg Red Limousins to just €2.18/kg.
Will the mart trade continue to push on as the spring progresses?
“We are already seeing grass men buying and have prices ever slackened when there’s spring grass to be eaten?”
Kevin Mc Closkey and John Germaine
This 740kg, 2013 suckler cow sold for €1,095