Beef bullocks & heifers ‘the most subdued sector’ in Kilkenny – Candler

Farming News/Mart Reports – Kilkenny Mart – Cattle Prices – 03-07-2023

According to George Candler, a bigger entry of 800 lots crossed the scales at Kilkenny Mart’s general cattle sale on Thursday, August 3^rd, 2023, writes farming journalist, Catherina Cunnane.

The mart’s auctioneer reported that once again, beef bullocks and heifers were “the most subdued sector”.

“Trade for quality continental bullocks and heifers continued to remain strong with prices from €2.70-€3.60/kg. Cull cows remained a steady trade,” Candler added.

Kilkenny Mart on 03-07-2023

Cull cow prices:

• Friesians – €1.03-€2.20/kg;
• Continentals – €1.70-€2.55/kg.

Beef heifers – €2.30-€2.95/kg or €1,400 or €1,980/head (average – €1,590/head):

• LM – 780kgs – €1,980;
• 2 HE – 660kgs – €1,530;
• 2 LM – 635kgs – €1,660;
• 2 LM – 615kgs – €1,400;
• CH – 600kgs – €1,460;
• LM – 545kgs – €1,600.

Forward store heifers – €2.00-€2.80/kg or €980-€1,380/head (average – €1,180/head):

• 5 AA – 575kgs – €1,340;
• 3 SI – 555kgs – €1,340;
• 3 LM – 550kgs – €1,380;
• 2 CH – 535kgs – €1,350;
• 2 LM – 49kgs – €1,380;
• 2 AA – 490kgs – €1,180.

Light store heifers – €1.80-€3.11/kg or €550-€1,090/head (average – €840/head):

• 3 LM – 390kgs – €1,090;
• 3 HE – 385kgs – €940;
• 4 LM – 375kgs – €1,060;
• 9 AU – 370kgs – €850;
• 6 AA – 340kgs – €730;
• LM – 325kgs – €1,010.

Bullocks – 600kgs+ – €2.00-€3.11/kg or €1,100-€2,120/head (average price of €1,641/head):

• AA – 835kgs – €2,120;
• 2 LM – 700kgs – €2,120;
• 5 CH – 675kgs – €1,940;
• 10 HE – 670kgs – €1,780;
• 2 AA – 650kgs – €1,590;
• 3 FR – 640kgs – €1,440.

500-600kgs – €2.30-€2.95/kg or €980-€1,660/head – average price of €1,375/head:

• 6 AA – 570kgs – €1,410;
• 2 HE – 565kgs – €1,300;
• 2 FR – 560kgs – €1,200;
• CH – 550kgs – €1,660;
• 4 CH – 545kgs – €1,570;
• 2 HE – 505kgs – €1,100.

400-500kgs – €1.80-€3.55/kg or €650-€1,510/head:

• 2 CH – 490kgs – €1,410;
• 5 AA – 480kgs – €1,120;
• 2 LM – 475kgs – €1,340;
• 2 FR – 455kgs – €880;
• 6 CH – 440kgs – €1,250;
• 3 CH – 425kgs – €1,510.

<400kgs – €1.70-€3.46/kg or €550-€1,100/head:

• 10 FR – 390kgs – €710;
• 2 HE – 385kgs – €1,010;
• 2 HE – 365kgs – €800;
• 2 AA – 360KGS -€960;
• 7 AA – 355kgs – €840;
• 8 CH – 318kgs – €1,100.

This week’s sheep prices

According to George Candler, some 550 lots turned out for Kilkenny Mart’s sheep sale on Monday, July 31^st, 2023.

The mart’s auctioneer reported a “slightly larger” entry of sheep compared to the previous weeks, with highs of €177/head for butcher lambs, factory lambs to €144/head and cast ewes to €191/head.

Speaking following the sale, he said: “No great joy in Kilkenny for the farmer selling lambs between 40 to 43 kg. Heavy lambs, over 50 kilos, which appear to be scarce, attracted better interest from butchers and wholesalers.”

“Cull ewes met a steady rather than a spectacular trade with prices to a top call of €191,” Candler added.

Read more on this mart report.

Kilkenny Mart information:

• Address: Kilkenny Co-Operative Livestock Market LTD, Cillin Hill, Dublin Road, Co. Kilkenny
• Contact details: [email protected]or phone: 056-7721407 or see the mart’s website.

Upcoming sales:

• Sheep and calf sale – Mondays at 10 am with a dairy sale at 12 pm
• Cattle sale – Thursday – Cows at 10 am, followed by heifers, with bullocks at 10:30 am.

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