Kilkenny Mart Report - Livestock marts are the only opposition to factories

The agri world has shown some changes since I was last in touch, but in the mart sector trade in Kilkenny has remained remarkably firm.

A few weeks ago factories started to reduce quotes, which was a strange move as numbers were not over big.

They did this for two weeks or so but the strange thing was that mart prices in the beef sector showed no decrease and in some cases prices edged upwards

The factories had to change course and start increasing quotes.

This whole negative episode showed that the factories need competition and their only other opposition is livestock marts, which should be supported as much as possible.

We in Kilkenny mart are lucky that we attract buyers and factory agents from as far away as Cork, Louth and all of the counties in the South East.

Northern Ireland buyers also attend from time to time.

Beef

Last Thursday beef bullocks ranged from €1550 to €2170 per head or €2.40 to €3.15 per kilo with their heifer counterparts ranging from €2.80 to €3.20 per kilo or €1650 to €2180 per head.

Quality store bullocks and heifers also sold very well with quality continentals ranging in price from €2.80 to €3.50 per kilo .

The cull cow sale seems to have taken on a life of its own with the change to a Tuesday definitely working and attracting new buyers from far and near.

Prices last Tuesday were excellent with Friesian cull cows ranging from €1.15 to €2.40 per kilo with Continentals €1.60 to €3.00 per kilo.

Remember if you are selling cull cows we would appreciate if they were entered before 4pm on the previous Monday.

The only reason we require entries is to inform our potential buyers how many animals will be present before they travel a distance.

The phone number for Kilkenny Mart office is 056 7721407 .

Calf sales are also held on a Tuesday and in the past few weeks trade in this sector has been excellent, helped by a vibrant export trade.

Remember all calves over six weeks old offered for sale should be TB tested.

Sheep

The lamb trade six weeks ago recorded excellent prices with €10 per kilo being offered by the factories, with a strong export trade which was returning €5 plus euro per kilo live weight.

This of course meant that, for a change, the early lamb producer was getting good money for his produce.

In the last few weeks there has been a dramatic fall in factory quotes but this Monday in Kilkenny a small sheep sale saw the €200 per head barrier broken on a number of occasions.

With butcher types ranging from €165 to €210 per head with factory types €155 to €185 per head.

Cull ewes were an excellent trade ranging from €66 to €220 per head.

Special Sale

This Thursday, along with our general cattle sale, we will be holding a Special Sale of in calf Friesian Heifers in Hugginstown to culminate with the Pure Friesian Open Day at Pat Cleary’s.

This sale kicks off at 3pm.

Relay For Life

The cancer fundraiser Relay For Life takes place in the Kilkenny Rugby Club on July 6 and 7.

We would love to see as many of you as possible attending at the special ceremony at 10pm on Saturday night or the closing of the event at 2pm on Sunday.

A nice way to remember people who have been touched by cancer and a way to remember the people who have passed away.

Auction

I would also like to remind you of a fund raiser in the Cosy Inn in Callan on Saturday, June 29, at 8.30pm.

This special auction is to raise funds for Michael Wall, an issue most people in Callan are familiar with.

I would love to see a big crowd there and you might buy something very special and support a great cause.

More information from 085 2038882.

Until next time, look after each other and good buying, good selling and good luck.