Has popularity of The Ploughing started to wane? - Kilkenny Farming column

No doubt that many of you that read the farming page of the Kilkenny People went ploughing last week, though the weather was far from ideal. It is an event that gives you a chance to look around and meet many people who you have not meet in years.

I was there on the opening Tuesday. Underfoot conditions were yielding and there were many showers which encouraged people to pop into trade stands for shelter rather than transacting any business.

My observation would suggest that not a lot of transactions were carried out, at least on that first day, and a few farmers I met were disappointed that livestock numbers on display were limited, with many breed societies feeling the Tullamore Show was a better venue to show their animals.
It has become very expensive to take and man trade stands at these events, which was the reason breed societies were absent.

A lot of would-be attendees at the ploughing said they were put off by the online booking of tickets, with many elderly farmers not competent enough to manage online, and felt a €5 increase on cash transaction at the gates excessive. Has the popularity of this great event started to wane?

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Cattle Sale
We held our weekly cattle sale on Thursday which attracted much bigger numbers than previous ploughing week sales. Trade remained firm with customers still anxious to purchase cattle.

The sale attracted an entry of 800, with beef bullocks ranging from €1300 to €2150 per head. Forward store types €1050 to €1700, 400 to 500 kilo bullocks €750 to €1550 per head and lighter types €600 to €1150.

Cull cows met a good steady trade with Friesians ranging from €1 to €2.25 per kilo with continentals €1.60 to €2.60 per kilo.
In the heifer sector, on Thursday, beef types ranged from €1400 to €1850 per head, forward stores €980 to €1410 per head with lighter types €650 to €1080 per head.

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Sheep Sale
At the sheep sale, on Monday, butcher lambs ranged from €140 to €163 per head, factory types €125 to €142 per head, with store lambs €80 to €115 per head.

Once again ram lambs are been discounted. Cull ewes saw prices range from €70 to €170 per head.
A special ram sale for the Kilkenny Sheep Breeders saw Charolaise Rams range from €400 to €620 per head and Suffolks from €300 to €550 per head.
The final ram sale for the Kilkenny Sheep Breeders is Monday, 9th October.

Condolences
I would like to offer our sincere condolences to the extended Kenny family of Rathkyle, Castlecomer, on the death of our friend and colleague Eamon who passed away last week. I worked with Eamon in Kilkenny Mart for over 50 years and his passing is one of life’s very sad events. Eamon was a quiet person and a gentleman who worked very well in Kilkenny for all those years. To his wife Marion, daughters Breda and Marie, we can only hope their pain on this great loss will ease in time.

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Charity Auction
On Thursday we will be auctioning a Pedigree Charolaise Heifer donated by the Comerford Family to raise funds for Cois Nore and in memory of Kilkenny’s Charolaise King Christy. Always fondly remembered.

Dairy Sale
On Monday next, 2nd October, we hold our first autumn dairy sale at 1pm, in conjunction with our sheep sale.
Tuesday, 3rd October, is our first weanling sale of the year with entries being taken up to 3.30pm on Friday. Further details from Kilkenny Mart on 056 7721407.
Until next time, do be careful on the farm and good buying, good selling and good luck.