Farmers battling flood waters across Kilkenny

It’s been a dreadful few days of rain with anyone who has heavy ground scrambling to get cattle housed and even those on relatively good ground encountering lots of problems due to the torrential downpours.

Weather
People in Thomastown, Inistioge and Graignamanagh, to name but a few communities, have found themselves battling flood waters as no doubt many in this region, especially low lying areas and lands and buildings located near rivers, have.

I know that this is a farming page but if you are involved in agriculture weather conditions are a very important factor and can dictate either positively or negatively on all aspects of agriculture.
We need a settled period of dry weather but according to present forecasts that is not going to happen in the very near future.

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Cattle
On the cattle front the factories now find themselves in the driving seat with no shortage of cattle being offered for sale due to weather and the nitrate directives.

It was noticeable on Thursday that the cull cows showed marked reductions with top continentals peaking at €2.35 per kilo which would have been €2.60 per kilo a few weeks ago.
Some thin Friesian cows are making as low as €0.70 per kilo with the top price in this sector €1.60 per kilo.
Cattle were showing effects of the weather with only the real top types holding their own.

There is a definite reduction for animals with a dairy influence with the pure suckler types, which are in demand, a scarce commodity. The top call for these type is €2.45 to €2.85 per kilo with AA peaking at €2.70 per kilo.
Fr bullocks saw prices range from €1.65 per kilo to €2.30 per kilo depending on quality and conformation.
The heifer ring attracted some quality animals with the top beef heifer ranging from €2.45 to €2.90 per kilo.

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Remember if you have cattle to sell they should be entered before 3.30pm on the Wednesday before by contacting the mart office on 056-7721407.

Sheep
A yard of 650 sheep, on Monday, attracted more interest with a top call of €163 with a good bit of renewed interest on lambs with flesh cover.
Cull ewes peaked at €164 per head.

Next Monday is a Bank Holiday so our sheep sale will be held on Tuesday in conjunction with our weekly weanling sale.
This sector showed an excellent trade last week with a 100% clearance.

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Duck Derby
As I mentioned, this weekend is a Bank Holiday with the Savour Food Festival taking place in Kilkenny.
The Kilkenny Lions Club are hoping to hold a Duck Derby on the River Nore between Lady Desart Bridge and John’s Bridge.
If weather conditions are unsafe the event will have to be postponed, as was the case last year, so fingers crossed for a drier spell from Thursday onwards.

Until next time do be careful on the farm and good buying, good selling and good luck.