Kilkenny Mart: Cattle price quotes reported to be reducing

It’s been a strange time in farming over the past few weeks with, as I have often said before, weather being the influencing factor.

April was a very wet and cold month with May beginning to be very unsettled with lots of showers. The only positive factor is that temperatures have risen and grass growth has improved.
Some fields, which have been saturated with heavy showers, have become unworkable, especially on heavy ground. We live in hope that a dry spell is not too far away.

Cattle
On the cattle front, factories have been trying to orchestrate the reduction in quotes by working shorter weeks, and some agents showing less interest in securing cattle. Factories have been on the back foot for most of the year and have had to stabilise or increase quotes to secure adequate numbers, but that phase appears to have passed.

On Thursday last there was no great change in prices with beef bullocks ranging from €1,200 to €2,600, forward store types €1,150 to €1930, with lighter type stores €600 to €1,600, depending on quality and confirmation.

Fury over footpath delays in Kilkenny village

Cull cows saw bigger numbers on offer with the 200 lots meeting a very solid trade. Fr types saw prices range from €1.10 to €2.70 per kilo with the continental types €1.70 to €3.05 per kilo.
I felt few farmers were very brave in refusing some of these prices especially when quotes were reported to be reducing.
Beef bullocks and heifers were in short supply which might be an indication that beef numbers are not overly plentiful.

Calf Sale
Our calf sale continues each and every Tuesday at 10.15am with smaller numbers on offer attracting plenty of interest from farmer and exporters. Remember that all calves over 6 weeks old must be TB tested.

Sheep
Good news to report on the sheep front with the trade on Monday seeing spring lambs ranging from €158 to €180 and butcher hoggets €155 to €184 per head.
Cull ewes ranged from €70 to €221 per head.
All cattle and calves should be entered by contacting the mart office on 056-7721407.

Darkness Into Light
Last weekend I was in James Stephens Barracks for the annual walk for Darkness Into Light walk in aid of Pieta House. It was great to see so many people early in the morning making the effort to attend. The message I took out of the proceedings was instead of talking at people let’s talk to people and listen to what they have to say. It might take a few minutes in this busy world of ours, but it could be of benefit to people who are feeling troubled.

PICTURES: Hundreds turn out for Kilkenny's Darkness into Light walk for Pieta (2023)

Pictures by Harry Reid

Bull Sale
This Wednesday the Kilkenny Agricultural Society hold its final Bull Sale of the season with approx 100 on offer and two rings operating. Sale starts at 12.30pm .
Until next time do be careful on the farm and good selling, good buying and good luck.