Angus in demand on Martbids in Nenagh

Nenagh Mart held its weekly cattle sale on Tuesday, with a smaller catalogue of cattle compared with last week.

The second half of November and the month of December are always quiet months for cattle sales and with most cattle now housed, it’s expected all sales will stay on the smaller side over the next four to six weeks.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, auctioneer David Whyte said: “There was a very lively trade for Angus stock, with factory feedlots competing with farmers for suitable animals.

"There’s a big difference in the quality of some of the Aberdeen Angus out there, but the good ones are definitely making good money,” he said.

Online trading going well

David added: “Online trading is going well and we would see some extra customers logging on that wouldn’t usually be around the ring.

"I guess it suits some of the bigger feeders to log in and bid rather than drive the country to different marts.

"They can now keep a close eye on the trade in a number of different locations.”

Top-quality Angus heifers in the 500kg to 600kg bracket were making between €1.85/kg and €1.95/kg, with continental heifers a similar trade.

Lighter continental heifers in the 400kg to 500kg bracket were up on last week, hitting over €2/kg on a couple of occasions.

There was also increased demand for bullocks, with the price going up across all categories compared with last week’s trade.

Bullocks

Top-quality bullocks in the 400kg to 500kg bracket were hitting €2.02/kg, while lesser-quality lots were back at €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg.

Dry cows were a similar trade to last week, with Friesian cows making from €1.20/kg to €1.35/kg.

Better-quality continental cows were making from €1.40/kg to €1.60/kg.

Central Auctions Nenagh is holding a special dairy sale on Thursday 5 December at 12pm.