Kilkenny Mart column: How can we store this surplus rain water?

We had some very wet days in the past few weeks and it struck me how much surplus water is out there.
Next summer, if the same pattern as other years is to come about, we will be asked to restrict the use of water due to shortages. With the rain that is falling we should find a way to store this product because as everyone knows it can be a precious commodity.

I know that building new reservoirs is a costly business, but with an expanding world population it could well be a prudent move to safeguard our food production here in Ireland. Over to the experts.

Cattle Sale
The cattle sale last Thursday was a smaller affair with 860 on offer as opposed to the 1000 plus we recorded over the past few weeks.
The trade was excellent and it shows that quality counts when a bunch of Limousin bullocks weighing 465 kilo makes €1500 or €3.23 per kilo.
Even quality Fr bullocks ranged from €1.90 to €2.38 per kilo these in fairness were Br Friesian types as opposed to Holstein.

Heifers were also selling very well with prices ahead by €10 to €30 on the previous week’s trading.
The sale attracted an entry of 210 cull cows with a sharper trade all round. Only two cull cows failed to sell.
Remember, our final cattle sale is Thursday, December 15, with a return to action on Thursday, January 5, 2023.
All cattle should be entered by contacting the mart office on 056 7721407.

Dairy Sale
Here in Kilkenny we hold dairy sales every second Monday in conjunction with our sheep sale which have proved very successful.
Last Monday fresh calved Fr cows and heifers ranged from €1250 to €1550 per head with in calf Fr heifers €1150 to €1550 per head.
Our next dairy sale is Monday, December 5, with our final dairy sale this year being December 19. If you are a dairy farmer who is thinking of selling your entire herd or even reducing you should contact us to develop a strategy as we have a large number of potential buyers on our books.

Weanling/ Calf Sale
Our final weanling sale and calf sale takes place next Tuesday, November 29, at 11am. Even though our suckler herd in this region has been reduced dramatically the numbers of weanling sold in Kilkenny Mart have shown a slight increase, which is to be welcomed.
This sale has attracted a number of calves to sell and they will be offered for sale every Monday in conjunction with our sheep sale until we revert to our weekly calf sales, which will be every Tuesday from the end of January 2023.

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Sheep Sale
The sheep trade, which saw a dramatic increase in prices last week, saw that positive vibe continue on Monday with butcher types ranging from €142 to €164 per head, factory types €120 to €149 per head and stores €60 to €113 per head.
Cull ewes ranged from €55 to €186 per head.
Our final sheep sale of this year is Monday, December 19, with our first sheep sale of 2023 on Monday, January 9.
Until next time do be careful on the farm and good buying, good selling and good luck.