Last Saturday’s general cattle sale at New Ross Mart saw a good entry of stock met with a steady trade. Mart manager Richard Kirwan said that prices are more or less on par with recent weeks, and are good considering the current beef climate.

Heavy bullocks over 600kg are feeling the worst of the pain as a direct result of beef price woes. The average 600kg bullock is selling for about twice the weight, with plainer types making from €1.80/kg upwards.

Stores from 500kg to 600kg are a little stronger in terms of price per kilo, but, again, only good-quality continentals were selling from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg. Plainer types sold mainly from €1.80/kg to €2.00/kg.

Finishers were out sourcing forward bullocks and heifers, but the continuing protests are likely to hit demand in the coming weeks.

Richard said that there was good farmer demand for lighter store bullocks and heifers, with continentals from 400kg to 500kg selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg for better-quality types.

Angus and Hereford bullocks and heifers in that weight range sold mainly from €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg.

Richard said that the previous weanling sale saw strong farmer and exporter demand, which led to prices only marginally behind the same time last year.

Commission rates are €8 to €15/head to the seller and €9/head to be buyer.