Kilkenny Mart sees excellent demand for cattle, sheep trade solid

There has been no dramatic change in the cattle trade since I last wrote in these pages.

About three weeks ago factories dropped quotes for both bullocks and heifers and people felt that this was the start of a price decline, but we here at the coalface knew that any reduction would be short lived, as was the case, mainly due to the fact that supplies are short.

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In the last week or two quotes have risen and there is also an excellent demand for all store animals.
This was brought into focus last Tuesday when we held our special weanling sale.

The top quality continental bulls and heifers were in short supply with some excellent prices e.g. 3 char bullocks 430kg €2780, 3 Lim 355 €2050, 2 Cont 380kg €2280, with lighter traditional bulls eg AA Herf Fr making excellent prices - 10AA 175kg €970, 5 Fr 185kg €930, 6 Herf 185 kg €930.

To sum up, Cont Bull Bullocks ranged from €4.60 to €6.50 per kilo with traditional types €3.50 to €5.70 per kilo. A limited number of organic types ranged from €6 to €7.50 per kilo.

Heifers also sold well e.g. 2 Char 340 €1800, 2 Lim 255 €1500, 3 Char 350 €1820, with 6AA hfrs 147 €770 and 8AA hfrs 190 kilo €1050. E.g. Cont type heifers €4.80 to €5.80 per kilo with traditional types €3.90 to €5.50 per kilo.

Tuesday Sales
Remember, every Tuesday at 10.30am we hold a sale of cull cows in Ring1 with Ring 2 hosting a sale of weanlings, runners and calves again at 10.30am.

Please enter all animals as it gives us a chance to contact our many buyers to inform them of numbers on offer.

Thursday’s sale attracted an entry of 920 head which would be reduced by 200 compared to 2024 figures on the similar date.
Beef Bullocks ranged from €2270 to €3480 per head. Forward store types €1700 to €2940 per head with lighter stores ranging from €1100 to €2700 per head with the cattle derived from the suckler herd securing excellent prices e.g. €4.80 to €6.10 per kilo.

Prices of all animals been sold at the moment are €900 to €1100 per head more compared with 2024.

Once again if you are offering cattle for sale be that Tuesday or Thursday please enter before 3.30pm on the previous day by ringing 056 7721407.

Sheep
Sheep number are remaining small but trade has remained very solid. Last Monday, for example, butcher type lambs ranged from €168 to €200 per head, factory types €158 to €172 and stores €110 to €146 per head, with cull ewes peaking at €230 per head .

I mentioned before the problem that farmers sons and daughters have in obtaining planning permission on their parents lands to build a house.

The restrictions that now exist should be eased and we should encourage our younger people to reside where they grew up rather than being added to the spiralling numbers in our towns and cities or else having to emigrate due to the housing shortage.

Hamper Appeal
In the coming weeks I will be in touch with the agri sector and the farming community to support the Kilkenny Lions Hamper Appeal which takes place due to the cooperation of the Kilkenny People and KCLR watch this space.

Friesian Event
The Irish Pure Friesian Association are holding a special event in Cillin Hill on Wednesday, October 22, starting at 1pm and culminating in a dinner and auction of approx 25 in Calf Fr heifers.
More details from Sinead 086 8552977.

Talent
Another special event will take place this Saturday night at Malzard’s of Stoneyford, at 7.30pm, in aid of Moin Ruadh School — Hugginstown’s Got Talent.

All welcome from Kells, Kilmoganny, Hugginstown, Stoneyford etc. It should be great fun night for all.
Until next time good buying, good selling and good luck.