Just over 600 cattle were sold in Thursday’s general sale in Kilkenny Mart. Overall, store bullocks were up 5c/kg while heifers saw a more difficult trade and slipped about 5c/kg for the week.

Bullocks

Bullocks weighing between 400kg and 500kg were up 5c/kg and averaged €2.03/kg. There was a big range – €1.38/kg to €1.74/kg – for Friesian cattle in this weight band. Dairy-beef lots were less rangy, with all being sold between €1.85/kg and €1.98/kg. Continentals started at €2/kg but quality was in fine demand and €2.30/kg would have to be parted with to secure the best lots. €2.40/kg was the best in this weight range.

From 500kg to 600kg, the average was €1.96/kg, up 5c/kg from last week too. Friesians made between €1.51/kg and €1.78/kg, while Angus and Hereford crosses ran from €1.75/kg up to €1.97/kg. Continentals started at just under €2/kg but once again quality lots ruled the roost and €2.25/kg up to €2.30/kg was the going rate for most R and U grading lots.

Bullocks over 600kg averaged €1.81/kg with the best quality lots selling for €2/kg and above. Here the quality bullock was back 5c/kg, while the plainer animal saw a lift.

Heifers

Store heifers weighing 400kg to 500kg averaged €1.81/kg, with the best-quality lots regularly hitting the €2.15/kg mark and over. Plainer lots dipped down to €1.50/kg.

Forward stores in the 500kg to 600kg weight bracket averaged €1.53/kg, while the nicest-quality lots made €2.15/kg and over once again.

Kilkenny Mart

Commission in the mart is €12-15 to the seller and €10 to the buyer.

Analysis for this report was generated from the MartBids app. MartBids is a collaboration between the Irish Farmers Journal and livestock marts. The app is available for download on iPhone or Android on the App Store or Google Play. With this app, all of the information that is displayed on the mart board is now available on your smartphone, long before the animal enters the sales ring.