Column: Lack of rain challenging for dairy and livestock farmers - Candler
The sun continues to shine, and Ireland over the past few weeks has seen temperatures we would normally experience if we went to Spain, Portugal etc.
Most people are enjoying this great spell of settled weather but not all. If you are a tillage farmer it is ideal, and it also is beneficial for those who are involved in hay and silage making.
But there are some negatives. Grass is beginning to disappear, and some water sources are drying up, so if rain is still absent in a week to ten days, it could become very challenging for the dairy and livestock farmers.
The farming sector can also forget how to look after themselves with so much excessive sun around. It is recommended to always wear a hat and apply sun cream on exposed areas of the skin if working outdoors. Skin cancer is not something we want to develop, and even though it may take a few minutes to apply the protective cream, it will be well worth it in the long run.
Sheep
Last Monday, it was good to see sheep farmers getting a good return for their product. Spring lambs peaked at €237 for the butcher wholesale types, with the bulk of these types ranging from €195 to €237 per head. Factory-type lambs ranged from €165 to €195 per head. Cull ewes also sold well with a price range of €164 to €310 per head. The sale resulted in a 100% clearance.
Hopefully these positive prices will remain as the sheep sector is one aspect of farming that requires stability.
Cattle
Last week’s cattle sale saw 630 head on offer with all lots meeting a good solid trade. The beef bullock sector saw an improvement in price due to the fact that beef seems to be in short supply, and more factory agents were more positive in their approach.
Beef bullocks ranged from €2020 to €3840 per head or €3.40 to €4.55 per kilo. Forward and light store bullocks also sold. Cull cows, now offered for sale on a Thursday in Ring 1, saw a 100% clearance.
The heifer sector saw a more subdued trade, especially for some of the beef type which saw some excellent prices the week before. Beef heifers ranged from €1900 to €3080 per head or €3.50 to €4.30 per kilo.
Kilkenny Mart is holding sales on Monday and Thursday. Sheep are offered for sale on Monday in Ring 2 at 10.15am with the calf / runner sale at 1pm. Thursday Ring 1 has cull cows selling at 10.15am followed by heifers.
Bullocks are sold in Ring 2 at 10.30am. Any animal with two tags and tested in the last 12 months may be sold in a livestock mart. Contact the office before 3.15pm the previous Wednesday on 056 7721407.
Thanks
Thank you to everyone who supported my fundraising drive in aid of Carlow Kilkenny Home Care Team, Cois Nore and Relay For Life Kilkenny. You helped to raise in excess of €9,000.