This week, Kilkenny mart hosted a special sale of factory-fit cattle alongside its general sale. This meant that cattle numbers over the 600kg mark were up substantially on the week. This increase was met with active bidding and prices rose considerably.
This week, Kilkenny mart hosted a special sale of factory-fit cattle alongside its general sale.
This meant that cattle numbers over the 600kg mark were up substantially on the week. This increase was met with active bidding and prices rose considerably.
This Piedmonetese bullock was born April 2018, weighed 655kg and sold for €1,540 (€2.35/kg).
Seeing the most increased demand were the nearly 70 steers hitting this weight mark. On average, this section witnessed a near 100% clearance, with average sale price settling at €2.15/kg, up 15c on the week with nearly double sold.
This 29-month-old Limousin bullock weighed 750kg and sold for €1,790 (€2.39/kg).
Agents were again very active in securing these lots, which meant prices rose as high as €2.50/kg for the top lots. Overall, the top third of 600kg plus bullocks averaged €2.37/kg.
This pen of four Charolais bullocks, born spring 2018, weighed on average 728kg and sold for €1,810 a piece (€2.49/kg).
Heifers also saw the benefit of this specialised sale, with prices rising by 6c/kg on the week.
This pen of three fit Friesian heifers weighed on average 562kg and sold for €1,060 (€1.89/kg).
Overall, 30 heifers broke the 600kg mark, selling to an average €2.12/kg.
These two spring 2018-born Charolais heifers weighed on average 615kg and sold for €1,320 (€2.15/kg).
Those ready for slaughter and carrying more shape proved to be in very high demand, with the top third of lots selling to average €2.34/kg, up 18c on the week.
The top price in this ring was a call of €1,900 for a spring 2018-born heifer weighing 650kg (€2.92/kg).
This 30-month-old Charolais heifer weighed 725kg and sold for €1,520 (€2.10/kg).
The top of the lighter, short-stay heifers saw prices rise as high as €3.16/kg for a 23-month-old Limousin heifer weighing 585kg, which sold for €1,850.
Three November 2019-born Aubrac bull weanlings, weighing on average 367kg, sold for €860 (€2.34/kg).
Overall, trade was very positive, with a mostly continental yard of steers and heifers averaging between the €2/kg and €2.20/kg mark.
This Simmental-cross four year old cow weighing 630kg sold for €1,030 (€1.63/kg).
However, it was the top end of lots that really shined though, with the top third of lighter steers and heifers averaging just shy of €2.50/kg.
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