IN THE KNOW
1 ENNIS
This was a smaller sale than previous and with less farmer buyers around the ring, it’s understandable that prices slipped somewhat, especially for the plainer bullock or heifer. Prices for lighter continentals cracked on well however, with the tops of those from 350-400kg selling from €2.80-2.90/kg. Among the heavier bullocks, the top Angus were three at 461kg which sold for €2.23/kg, while two 507kg Charolais chipped in at €2.57/kg with better continental types making up to €2.10/kg.
2 KILKENNY
It was similar story here, smaller numbers and a trade that steadied from the previous week. In the 600kg+ bullock section, prices ranged from €1.80-2.25/kg, while the forward store from 500-600kg sold from €1.70-2.30/kg. In the 400-500kg division, poorer quality dairy stock helped push the floor for prices at this weight down to €1.50/kg, while the top price for those better continentals was €2.70/kg. In the heifer ring, beef heifers sold from €2.002.40/kg with store heifers making from €1.80-2.40/kg.
3 HEADFORD
The top of the bullock market held well here, achieving €2.87/kg in the case of two 315kg Limousins with the €1.56/kg that propped up the price table here showing that buyers continue to penalise poorer conformation potential. Among the store heifers, the Limousin breed also grabbed the top honours with 330kg making €2.76/ kg, while overall prices for heifers ran from €1.90-2.76/kg.
4 RAPHOE
Ann Harkin noted that despite the heat and questions arising about how you define a drought, numbers at Raphoe were “decent” for the time of year. Bulls and bullocks sold from €2.00-3.00/kg with heifers making up to €2.80/kg off of a €2.10/kg base. The dry cow market saw a top of €1,275/hd buttressed at the other end by a bottom set at €720/hd.
5 CASTLEREA
Trade remained steady with good clearances reported across all sections. If you wanted the top of the pops in the bullock ring, a 465kg Limousin would set you back €2.69/kg, although 540kg Herefords at €2.38/kg are tempting if you want a quicker return. Also in the heifer ring, it was a choice between your longer keep animal such as the 360kg Charolais at €3.00/kg versus heavier, but closer to the knife stock, such as a 550kg Limousin at €2.65/kg.
6 TULLOW
Trade remained steady for the general run of forward type stock here, however the plainer forward bullock was reported as easier by between €20-30/hd. Lighter 300kg continental types made between €2.60-2.90/kg but plainer types stuttered around €2.00/kg. 400-500kg continentals sold-from €2.30-2.80/kg with one 420kg example hitting the €3.00/kg cross bar. Plainer Hereford and Angus types struggled into €1.95-2.15/kg. There was strong demand for shipping calves with prices ranging from €100-150/hd. Hereford and Angus heifer calves sold from €100270/hd.
7 MACROOM
Among the bullocks there was a sense the market is tightening with 370kg Charolais making €2.38/kg, while 360kg Herefords saw the hammer at €2.00/kg. Two 640kg Friesians sold for €1.78/kg. The heifer sale saw five 330kg Limousins make €2.18/kg, while two 485kg Limousins made €2.04/kg.