IN THE KNOW

1DOWRA

“It was a good trade but cattle were easier sold,” said Patsy Smith, who noted extra buyers. Weanling heifers under 300kg made €2.00-3.20/kg with those in the 300-400kg bracket topping out at €2.60/ kg. 500kg+ heifers sold from €1.50-2.70/ kg, with those top-end prices going for those chosen for breeding. Among the weanling bulls those under 300kg made €1.80-3.45/ kg, while in the 300-400kg section prices ranged from €1.70-3.15/kg. On the bullock front stores under 500kg made €1.60-2.70/ kg, with heavier stock making €1.85-2.55/kg.

2NEW ROSS

There were also extra buyers here, with Jim Bushe saying that while forward store cattle were similar to the previous week “lighter classes of both bullocks and heifers were a better trade”. Beef bullocks sold from €540 over the €1/kg for Herefords and Anguses to €940 over for fancier continetal types. Heavy Friesian bullocks sold from €300-500/hd over the €1/kg, with lighter Friesians making €155-320 with the weight. Beef heifers sold for €500-980 with their weight, while store heifers made €360-660 with the €1/kg. Beef cows sold for €330690 over the €1/kg, with straight-fromthe-parlour dairy cows types selling from €300-570/hd.

3KILKENNY

George Candler said numbers of quality cattle at marts are disappearing fast, with overage and underfed stock now “difficult” sales. On a more positive note cull cows showing a bit of feeding or nicely fleshed were steady. Bullocks over 600kg sold from €1.70-2.31/kg, with the 500-600kg bullock €1.70-2.55/kg. Beef heifers sold from €1.802.30/kg, with forward stores hitting a top of €2.30/kg. Lighter stores made €1.60-2.57/ kg. Friesian cull cows sold from €0.65c/kg to €1.76/kg.

4RAPHOE

The fancier animal was also in short supply here. Although dominated by plainer types, prices for bullocks did not dip below the €2.00/kg mark, topping out at €2.50/ kg. Weanling bulls made €1.80-2.30/kg with heifers selling for €1.90-2.50/kg. Fat cows sold from €585/hd to €1,150/hd.

5BALLINROBE

This sale saw continuing strong numbers where quality commanded a premium. Top price of the day went to a 380kg Limousin bullock that sold for €2.74/kg. Other bullock prices of note were the €2.16/kg paid for a 577kg Charolais and the €2.66/kg for a 455kg Charolais-cross. Among the top heifer prices were the€2.52/kg paid for a 595kg Charolais-cross and the €2.32/kg for a batch of three 575kg Limousins. The weanling trade saw a 315kg bull go for €2.70kg; on the heifer side a 355kg Limousin-cross clicked €2.35/kg.

6BLESSINGTON

Trade for weanlings was also firm here. On the bull side 200-300kgs sold from €210-470 over the €1/kg, with 300-400kgs making €300-495 over. Heavier bulls made €345-500/hd over their weight. Weanling heifers at 200-300kg made €200-400/hd over the €1/kg with heavier heifers making €275-445/hd over the weight.

7CARNEW

There was a strong entry for the time of the year but demand for quality lots was undiminished, with beef and forward stores making €600-800 over the €1/kg, and continental stores selling from €380-810 over the €1/kg. Beef heifers sold from €550-860 over their weight, with store heifers making €210-715 over. Friesian bull calves made €40-180/hd, with continental bulls selling for €220-410/hd. Hereford and Angus bulls made €150-310/hd. Continental heifers calves made €140-360/ hd. Beef cows sold from €350-680/hd over the €1/kg, with store cows making €150/hd under the €1/kg to €280/hd over.