‘Solid rather than spectacular’ sheep trade in Kilkenny – Candler

Farming News/Mart Reports – Kilkenny Mart – Sheep Prices – 24-07-2023

According to George Candler, some 450 lots came under the hammer at Kilkenny Mart’s sheep sale on Monday, July 24^th, 2023.

The mart’s auctioneer reported that a smaller entry saw a “solid rather than a spectacular trade”.

“It is disappointing that since the Muslim festival has ended, factories have dropped quotes,” he added.

“Lot met with a similar trade with lambs peaking at €178/head and cull ewes to a top call of €173/head,” Candler added.

Factory lambs – €3.00-€3.25/kg or €127-€145/head:

• 5 46kgs – €145;
• 7 45kgs – €139;
• 13 44kgs – €137;
• 8 43kgs – €138;
• 10 42kgs – €136;
• 12 41kgs – €127.

Store lambs – €2.40-€2.80/kg or €80-€111/head:

• 10 40kgs – €111;
• 10 39kgs – €106;
• 10 37kgs – €101;
• 12 36kgs – €95;
• 5 35kgs – €86;
• 8 34kgs – €83.

Butcher lambs – €3.30-€3.44/kg or €148-€178/head:

• 8 54kgs – €178;
• 5 53kgs – €175;
• 14 50kgs – €172;
• 13 49kgs – €168;
• 8 48kgs – €159;
• 13 47kgs – €156.

Other categories:

• Cull ewes – €70-€173/head.

Last Thursday’s cattle sale

“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.”

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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