Quality product selling well at Kilkenny Mart

For the first time in many months numbers of cattle and calves being offered for sale has begun to decrease, with prices still remaining , especially for the quality product.

On the cattle front factories have started to reduce quotes for beef bullocks and heifers plus cull cows but this reduction has not been witnessed ringside, perhaps due to the fact that in marts beef and forward store animals on offer are decreasing.

Cattle Sale
Thursday’s cattle sale saw an increase in numbers compared to the previous week, with the limited number of beef bullocks on offer ranging from €1400 to €2360 per head or €2.20 to €3.35 per kilo.

The 500 to 600 kilo bullock ranged from €1100 to €1810 per head or €2.20 to €3.30 per kilo with lighter types €580 to €1700.

The top price here was secured for 3 Char which weighed 465 kilo and made €1700 or €3.66 per kilo.

Lighter plainer heifers were a bit easier price wise with quality mixed. Lighter types ranged from €600 to €1400 per head with beef heifers remaining a firm trade with returns from €2.40 to €3.65 per kilo or €1400 to €2160 per head.

If you have beef or forward type animals to sell the mart ring may prove a good alternative especially if your factory agent is giving you the run around by taking reduced numbers of animals that are fit. We here in Kilkenny Mart will never refuse entries.

All cattle offered for sale on a Thursday should be entered before 3.30pm on the previous Wednesday by contacting the mart office on 056 7721407.

Sheep Sale
Last Monday’s sheep sale saw 680 sheep, with an excellent trade for spring lambs. Butcher lambs ranged from €160 to €186 per head with factory types €140 to €167 per head . Cull ewes saw prices range from €60 to €226 per head.

It was good to see an increase in the number of sellers which is mainly due to the fact that we have a decent number of buyers anxious to secure quality lambs that are appearing in Kilkenny Mart at the moment.

Sheep do not need to be entered except on the occasion you might be bringing significant numbers which gives us time to contact additional buyers.

Calf Sale
Our calf numbers have started to decrease with trade best described as steady all season.
Farmer buyers at present are decreasing but there is still a good interest from exporters.
Our weekly Tuesday calf sale will revert back to Mondays after our final Tuesday sale on the 5th June.
Dairy Sale
Our Monday dairy sale, which has recorded good numbers all season, has seen a decrease in entries but the limited number of calved Fr heifers and cows on offer still ranged from €1400 to €2450 per head to average €1820.
These sales are drawing to a close so if you have dairy animals to sell in the next few weeks please inform us as soon as possible.

Bull Sale
The Kilkenny Agricultural Society held its final bull sale of the season on Wednesday, 10th May, with 52 catalogued and 46 finding new homes. The only Friesian Bull on offer from John Hanly, Horse and Jockey, made €2200.

In the Limousin sector 10 of the 11 on offer sold to average €2845 with a top call of €4000 for a bull the property of John O’Heaney, Emly, Co Tipp.

The AA sector attracted an entry of 28 bulls with 25 find new homes to average €3736 with Nigel Pevoy, Mountrath, securing the top call in this sector of €5200.

In the Hereford sector 10 of the 12 on offer were sold to average €3490 with the top price being secured by Padraic Farrell of €4100.

At this venture we should also acknowledge the achievement of a local long established Hereford breeder Christy Finn from Ballycallan who was inducted into the Hereford Breed Society Hall Of Fame, a fitting tribute for this gentleman who has also been associated with the Kilkenny Agricultural Society for many years.

Until next time enjoy the sunshine, be careful on the farm and good buying, good selling and good luck.