This is a subscriber-only article
Ennis mart manager Martin McNamara commented that the sale was much larger than the same time last year, with numbers up 20%.
He added that the supply of cattle has been higher right through the summer, with numbers for July and August running 10% to 15% higher than the same months last year.
Explaining the higher supplies, Martin pointed at a relatively firm trade and weather as being the two major drivers of the increased cattle supplies so far.
In terms of the supply of stock over the coming months, he said that it would appear that farmers are in no panic to offload stock and he expects to see sale numbers steady over the coming two months.
In terms of price for Tuesday’s sale, he said that the average price across the sale was up €10/head on the same sale last year.
The quality of cattle on offer was very good and at the top of the market some top-quality weanlings saw prices up €20/head on the same sale last year.
In terms of demand, there were buyers in attendance for all types of weanlings.
Better-quality types from 300kg to 400kg were met with very strong farmer demand, with some feeder demand also.
Charolais and Limouisin bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg, with the top third making from €2.80/kg to €3.00/kg and over.
Heavy bulls over 400kg were met with strong feeder demand, with farmers also sourcing some choice lots with a view to castrating and running at grass next year.
Prices in the main for better-quality heavy bulls ranged from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg, while average types made from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg.
There was plenty of export demand for lighter bulls and heifers. Exporters placed a firm floor under the prices of light bulls from 200kg to 300kg. Prices ranged mainly from €600 to €760 for lighter types, with heifers selling mainly from €600 to €780 for those from 250kg to 300kg.
Commission rates are 1.4% to the seller to a maximum of €13 for singles and 1.2% to a maximum of €11 for doubles, and €9 to the buyer.
SHARING OPTIONS: