Cattle sales top €1million at Kilkenny Mart

It’s been a busy time in Kilkenny Mart with large cattle sales in the past few weeks, with cattle sales exceeding the €1 million barrier.

In relative terms these are good figures but pale into insignificance when you look at the bloodstock sales where yearlings have broken the €1 million barrier on a number of occasions, and in one case a well bred yearling colt made in excess of €2.4 million.

Anyway lets get back to livestock. Trade has remained stable, especially for the quality continentals where the bulk of these top types are ranging from €2.70 to €3.30 per kilo, with the real classy ones to €3.85 per kilo.
Friesian bullocks have eased in price but the bulk are still selling from €1.70 to €2.20 with the top lots in this category to €2.40 per kilo.

The numbers of cull cows being offered for sale has increased but prices have also eased, especially for animals with a Jersey influence.
The second rate Friesian or cross bred are ranging from €0.70 to €1.10 per kilo but some of these cows are only weighing between 380 to 440 kilo.

St. Canice’s Kilkenny Credit Union Ltd. is now inviting applications for the following: Senior Loans Officer

To sum up, beef bullocks are ranging from €2.00 to €3.00 per kilo or €1400 to €2300 per head, Forward stores €1.80 to €3.15 per kilo or €950 to €1840 per head with lighter types €1.70 to €3.15 per kilo or €450 to €1510 per head.
The better type Friesian cull cows are ranging from €1.20 to €2.10 per kilo with continentals €1.50 to €2.40 per kilo.

In the heifer sector, beef types are ranging from €1200 to €1790 per head, forward stores €980 to €1600, with lighter types €680 to €1150 per head.
Remember, if you have cattle to sell they should be entered before 3.30pm on Wednesday by calling 056 7721407.

Weanling Sale
Last Tuesday we held our opening weanling sale with 350 on offer.
All lots met an excellent trade with quality continental bulls and bullocks ranging from €2.70 to close to €4 per kilo and heifers from €2.35 to €3.30 per kilo.
Weanlings should be entered before 3.30pm on Mondays.

On Tuesday, October 24, we will hold a suckler sale of 50 in-calf cows at 1pm. More details online on the Kilkenny Mart page or by contacting the office.

Popularity of Thomastown allotments is growing!

Put your name down for a plot now!

Sheep Sale
Our sheep sale on Monday attracted 600 head with butcher types ranging from €140 to €160 per head, factory types €115 to €141 per head, with store lambs €78 to €114 per head.
Cull ewes ranged from €79 to €180 per head.
The final Kilkenny Sheep Breeders Ram Sale recorded Suffolk Rams ranging from €250 to €660 per head and Char Rams €400 to €500 per head .

'Godfather of Punk Poetry' coming to Kilkenny

Weather
The poor weather conditions in September had held up a lot of farm work but the better weather of the past few weeks has meant the land has dried up a bit, helping to complete a lot of work that has been behind schedule.

Thank You
A big thank you to all who contributed to my fundraiser in aid of the Carlow Kilkenny Home Care Team and Cois Nore which exceeded €6,000. A Ped Char Heifer donated by the Comerford family in honour the late Christy made €2600 for Cois Nore.
The kindness and support of the farming community is very much appreciated.
Until next time do be careful on the farm and good buying, good selling and good luck.