February 22, 2012

Over the past week, "firm to improve" were the words used to describe the cattle trade at the marts with beef cattle continue to be scarce.

Store cattle are in keen demand, while quality types are at EUR2.20-2.70 (US$2.91-3.57) per kilogramme.

Calf numbers are increasing. Friesian bull calves range from EUR100 (US$132.4) for the light plain types up to and over EUR250 (US$331) for the better lots. Dairy cows, especially heifers or young cows in milk, are also meeting with good demand and making up to EUR2,000 (US$2,648) per head.

Ennis Mart had their fat stock show and sale recently. The best of the heavy stock made EUR2.40-2.65 (US$3.18-3.51) per kilogramme. Good R-grade type steers sold for EUR2.20-2.35 (US$2.91-3.11) per kilogramme.

Calved dairy heifers hit EUR1,400-2,000 (US$1,854-2,648). Friesian bull calves made EUR100-240 (US$132.4-317.76) per head. Continental bull calves traded for EUR350-450 (US$463-596), while the heifers sold for EUR300-400 (US$397-529). Hereford heifers made EUR200-300 (US$265-397), while the bulls sold for EUR300-350 (US$397-463).

Kilkenny had increased numbers of suck calves. Friesian bull calves made EUR105-390 (US$139-516). Continental bull calves sold for EUR320-475 (US$424-629), while the heifers made EUR280-415 (US$371-549). In-calf Friesian heifers made EUR1,150-1,560 (US$1,523-2,066) each, while freshly calved heifers went for EUR1,450 (US$1,920) up to a top of EUR2,020 (US$2,675).

Ballymote Mart reported an improved sale for all categories. Stores of 400-500 kilogrammes made EUR600-800 (US$794-1,059) over their weight. Heavier steers sold up to EUR900 (US$1,192) over. Store heifers under 400 kilogrammes sold for EUR350-725 (US$463-960) with the EUR1 (US$1.32) per kilogramme.

Dowra Mart had 520 cattle on offer last Saturday. Heifers over 600 kilogrammes made EUR2-2.50 (US$2.65-3.31) per kilogramme.

Balla Mart had more than 800 cattle on offer. Suckler springers made up to a top of EUR2,340 (US$3,099). Bullocks met a good trade and heavy stock averaged EUR2.12-2.55 (US$2.81-3.38) per kilogramme.

Trade for heifers was also strong, with some quality heavy heifers making EUR2.32-2.70 (US$3.07-3.58) per kilogramme. Forward stores sold for EUR2.70-3.12 (US$3.58-4.13) per kilogramme. Prices were well up overall on previous weeks for weanling bulls, while some lighter ones made up to EUR3.39 (US$4.49) per kilogramme.