Camera at the Mart: cow numbers on the up in Kilmallock

There was close to a full clearance of stock in Kilmallock Mart on Monday last for its weekly general cattle trade.

Store cattle and cull cows backboned the trade and buyers were particularly strong for stores from 400kg to 550kg.

Traditional beef breed-cross bullocks were comfortably breaking €4/kg, with average prices of €4.07/kg and €4.10/kg paid for Angus- and Hereford-crosses in the 400kg to 500kg weight range.

Trade was brisk in the cow ring too, with larger numbers beginning to appear.

Most cows at the lower end of the trade were making €800 with their weight, while younger fresh cows making over €1,000 and more in some cases.

For well-fleshed dairy cows, a bit either side of €3/kg was the going rate, with up to €3.49/kg paid for a young cow weighing 610kg.

Pressure

Following the sale, manager Shane Egan said: “Cows were slightly back and that’s probably factories trying to put a bit of pressure on.

“There’s still a good demand for young slips from farmers that are recycling them, so they are wanted.

“Those Friesian cows with a bit of flesh are comfortably making from €2.90/kg to €3.10/kg.

Milk price

“Cull cows were a bit slower coming out this year, but over the last two weeks, we’ve seen that really pick up and milk price and weather deteriorating lately were the main factors.

“Then you have the prices that farmers are getting for their cull cows too. It’s unheard of.

“Even parlour cows that might have been €500 to €700 before and there’s some of them making €1,700. We’ll see a lot of them go through from now to Christmas.

“Trade might have been back a small bit for heavier cattle, but we still had continentals over 500kg coming into €4.77/kg.

“Store cattle were in far more demand by comparison, regardless of breed. A share of the lighter Friesians were doing over €4/kg.

“Overall, it’s been a good back end. I suppose we’ve probably a lot more heavier cattle through the marts and they’re getting on good.

“Here [Kilmallock] mightn’t have traditionally been a mart for heavy cattle, but we got them this year.

“Factories weren’t willing to give it to the farmers with small numbers, but they were certainly paying it at the ringside and farmers responded to that.”