Bull Sale: Top call at Kilkenny Agricultural Society annual mart sale is €4,800
Strikes in France, poor weather hit Kilkenny Mart calf sales
As I mentioned last week, Kilkenny Agricultural Society held its March annual bull sale in Kilkenny Mart on Wednesday, March 22, with a catalogue of 103, with 96 turning up and two rings in operation.
The bulk of the numbers were taken up by AA with 57 in attendance.
In this sector the top call was €4,800 for a bull the property of Nigel Peavoy, Mountrath.
The average price was €3,777 with a clearance rate of 79%.
The Hereford sector attracted 18 bulls of which 17 found new homes with a top call of €4,400 for an animal the property of Aiden Farrell, Moate. A 94% clearance and an average price of €3330.
In the Friesian sector 11 animals were put forward with the top price of €3,700 being secured by Michael Spillane, Fethard. Five sold with an average of €3,360 which related to a 45% clearance.
The Limousin sector only attracted nine bulls with a top call of €4,000 for an animal the property of Willie Joe Hogan, Gortnahoe, 6 Limousin were sold to average €3,233 and a clearance rate of 67%.
The one Charolais on offer failed to make the reserved.
The next bull sale for Kilkenny Agricultural Society is on April 12, when hopefully we will have a spell of dry, warmer weather which might encourage more customers to participate.
Calf Sales
Calf sales every Tuesday are still attracting large numbers with the last three sales averaging 760 per sale.
Prices for the top quality calf remains strong with farmer interest for calves with good confirmation and size.
Cont quality bulls are ranging from €250 to €400 plus with the heifers in this sector €180 to €350 per head.
The traditional breeds AA & Hereford are also selling well with quality bulls ranging from €150 to €300 with the bulk of females €120 to €280.
Small Friesian bulls and AA are difficult to get away with exporters being the only real customer.
This sector has been restricted by poor weather, strikes in France and lack of lairage facilities which have all had a negative effect.
Remember all calves should be entered by 3pm on the previous Monday.
Cattle Trade
The cattle trade remains buoyant as was the case last week with an excellent trade all round.
Cattle should be entered by 3.30pm on Wednesday by contacting the mart office on 056 7721407.
Sheep Sale
Monday’s sheep sale was a more positive trade with butcher types ranging from €148 to €163 per head with factory types €124 to €150 per head and the first of the spring lambs, which weighed 49 kilo, making €177.
Next Monday will be the final sheep sale before Easter and as April 10 is a Bank Holiday our sheep sale on that week will take place on the following Tuesday, April 11, in conjunction with our weekly calf sale.
Dairy Sale
Our dairy sale on Monday attracted over 100 head but customers were not as plentiful, especially for the lesser lights.
The €2,000 barrier was not broken on as many occasions as the previous weeks.
We will be holding our next dairy sale on Monday, April 3, but due to Easter arrangements our following sale for dairy will be Monday, April 17.
As you can see it’s been a very busy time in Kilkenny Mart but luckily prices have remained stable all round which is to be welcomed.
Until next time do be careful on the farm and good buying, good selling and good luck.