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The main camera at the mart was at last Tuesday’s special show and sale at Athenry Mart. The was a very large entry of more than 700 cattle between bullocks, heifers and cows. Mart manager Alan Barry said the trade was exceptional and the strong prices resulted in a clearance rate of 99% with just seven head going un-sold.
Alan said most of the cattle at the sale were factory fit and short-keep types. Alan said the number of stores on offer was lower than anticipated, but he put this down to the poor weather conditions over the past few weeks. He said most farmers are continuing to hold on to store cattle until the weather improves and grass buyers flock to the ringside.
In terms of demand for factory-fit and short-keep cattle, Alan said feedlot buyers were very active which kept a firm floor under prices. In addition to southern feedlot buyers, there were buyers from Northern Ireland actively buying good-quality fleshed and short keep-types.
It was not only those finishing cattle for the wholesale trade in the North who were buying.
In terms of prices, Alan said good-quality fleshed cattle sold quite easily for over €1,000 along with the weight, with some U grade bullocks and heifers selling for more than €1,100 over the weight. Strong demand for good-quality store heifers resulted in prices ranging mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg for all good-quality fleshed types. Heavy bullocks over 600kg sold mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.45/kg.
Alan said there was a large entry of more than 130 cull cows and young bulls on offer on the day. These were met with strong buyer demand, and, like recent weeks, prices were firm. Good-quality cows carrying flesh sold from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg, with feeding cows making from €1.80/kg upwards.
Alan said most cows on offer were short-keep types, but where feeding cows were on offer, they sold mainly from €500 to €600 along with the weight for continentals and around €300 along with the weight for Friesians. Commission rates are 1.75% to the seller and €9.25 to the buyer.
Short-keep cattle in demand but weather dampens store demand and supply
Numbers not dampening calf prices
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