‘More beef farmers are trying the ring as an alternative as factory tactics begin to bite’ – Candler

Farming News/Mart Reports: Kilkenny Mart – Cattle Prices – 20-07-2023

“Factory tactics are beginning to bite with heavy and forward stores reduced,” at Kilkenny Mart’s most recent general cattle sale on Thursday, July 20^th, 2023, according to George Candler.

The mart’s auctioneer reported that “a few more beef farmers are trying the ring as an alternative with most expressing satisfaction with the outcome”.

An “excellent” trade prevailed for quality continental store bullocks and heifers, while he said €2 per kilo is “now a decent price” for Friesian store bullocks.

“We had a similar sized sale to last week, with 650 lots, which included fewer cows, but more bullocks.”

Cull cows:

• Friesians – €1.10-€2.25/kg;
• Continentals – €1.40-€2.65/kg.

Beef heifers – €2.40-€3.04/kg or €1,500-€1,930/head (average price of €1,720):

• BB – 745kgs – €1,890;
• 2 LM – 640kgs – €1,820;
• CH – 610kgs – €1,930;
• 2 BB – 605kgs – €1,840;
• 2 AA – 600kgs – €1,500;
• 2 LM – 595kgs – €1,680.

Forward store heifers – €2.35-€2.65/kg or €950-€1,460/head (average price of €1,220/head):

• 2 AA – 565kgs – €1,360;
• 6 CH – 560kgs – €1,460;
• 4 AA – 525kgs – €1,330;
• 4 AA – 495kgs – €1,200;
• CH – 490kgs – €1,290;
• 2 CH – 450kgs – €1,160.

Bullocks – 600kgs+ – €2.10-€3.11/kg or €1,000-€2,490 (average price of €1,720/head):

• BB – 870kgs – €2,490;
• 2 CH – 735kgs – €2,250;
• 2 CH – 675kgs – €2,000;
• 11 FR – 665kgs – €1,500;
• 3 AA – 645kgs – €1,780;
• 5 HE – 605kgs – €1,610.

500-600kgs – €2.05-€3.22/kg or €1,100-€1,850/head (average price of €1,410/head):

• 2 AA – 595kgs – €1,530;
• 2 LM – 590kgs – €1,850;
• 2 CH – 580kgs – €1,820;
• 2 BB – 540kgs – €1,470;
• 2 AA – 530kgs – €1,320;
• 4 HE – 505kgs – €1,220.

400-500kgs – €1.70-€3.45/kg or €750-€1,470/head (average price of €1,100/head):

• 4 CH – 480kgs – €1,150;
• 7 FR – 470kgs – €880;
• 4 CH – 465kgs – €1,460;
• 2 HE – 450kgs – €1,180;
• 4 LM – 433kgs – €1,480;
• 6 FR – 420kgs – €800.

<400kgs – €1.60-€3.58/kg or €400-€1,200/head (average price of €730/head):

• 5 AA – 395kgs – €970;
• LM – 385kgs – €1,200;
• 2 FR – 375kgs – €840;
• 4 HE – 365kgs – €810;
• 4 CH – 360kgs – €1,100;
• LM – 240kgs – €860.

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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