Numbers small but trade vibrant at Kilkenny Mart

I trust you all got over the rough weekend all right without too much damage. It appears that most of the casualties were in coastal counties and in the West and North of Ireland.

With more storm like winds forecast it could be a long winter.
On the farming front the strong trade has continued as was the case on Thursday.

Beef
The sale attracted a small entry of 450 head with quality not as good as the previous weeks sale.
In the beef bullock sector prices ranged from €1420 to €2500 per head, forward store types €1150 to €1880 and lighter types €680 to €1500 per head.
The heifer numbers were small but trade was vibrant.

Beef heifers ranged from €1720 to €2170 with forward store types from €1080 to €1740 per head with lighter stores €680 to €1160.
There is a good trade at the moment for all types of cattle so if you have some to sell be that beef or stores the mart ring is an excellent alternative.

All cattle should be entered before 3.30pm on the Wednesday, contact number for Kilkenny Mart office is 056 7721407.

Our cull cows are now being sold on a Tuesday and last week’s and this week’s sales have attracted an entry of over 200.
Last Tuesday there was a 100% clearance with Friesian types ranging from €1.15 to €2.20 per kilo with continentals €1.50 to €3.05 per kilo.

This sale in being held in conjunction with our calf and weanling sale and has proved very successful.
We hope to continue with this change of day for cull cows at least until May.

Sheep
Our Monday sheep sales have remained comparatively small with 400 on offer.
Prices were excellent with trade best described as red hot.

Butcher type lambs/ hoggets ranged from €150 to €176 per head, factory types €129 to €155 per head and cull ewes €75 to €215 .
Remember sheep do not need to be entered but if you are bringing out large numbers please let us know.

Dairy Sale
Next Monday, in conjunction with our sheep sale, we will be holding a dairy sale at 12.30pm. Included in that sale will be the entire herd of the late Mary Butler Eardly of Purcells Garden, Threecastles, comprising of 38 head.
This is a closed herd with all Friesian cows and heifers scanned in calf and due from early February onwards.
This herd is in the top 4% for EBI in the country.
Further details on the Kilkenny Mart website or contact the mart directly on 0567721407.

Club Final
On the sporting front it was a disappointing weekend for O’Loughlin Gaels supporters, made even worse by not allowing a goal.
It’s amazing that in this day and age the GAA allowed such errors to occur.
Thomastown and Tullagher Rosbercon had reasons to celebrate due to their All Ireland victories in different grades.
Perhaps this year will be a special one for Kilkenny. Fingers crossed.
Until next time do keep safe on the farm and good buying, good selling and good luck.