Last week’s special store cattle show and sale at Kilrush Mart saw a good entry of 300 head of store cattle on offer.

Mart manager Martin McNamara said that the trade was very strong for all good-quality cattle types, but that in the past few weeks, plainer cattle have become harder to sell.

In terms of the quality of cattle on offer, Martin said it was exceptional and up slightly on last year.

In terms of average prices, he added that the sale saw average prices run €30 to €40/head above the average for the same sale last year.

This was driven by strong farmer demand and the quality of cattle on offer.

In terms of farmer buyer demands, he added that, in general, farmer buyers seem to be focusing more and more on better-quality continental cattle. This has been a feature of sales right through the spring and summer months, and now into the autumn.

Some farmer buyers who were focusing on Angus and Hereford cattle seem to be shifting back slightly to sourcing better-quality suckler-bred types.

This has resulted in dairy-bred stock being that bit slower or harder to sell in the ring. That said, there are still buyers for all types.

Farmers were the main buyers, although there were some feedlots sourcing cattle also.

The supply of bullocks and heifers ranged mainly from 400kg to 600kg, with forward store bullocks from 500kg to 600kg selling mainly from €2.05/kg for plainer types to €2.40/kg for better-quality R+ and U grades, with the very tops making north of €2.50/kg.

The majority of cattle on offer were forward stores in need of further feeding, with few short-keep or slaughter-fit types on offer.

Those from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg, with better-quality continentals making over €2.55/kg.

The heifer trade was strong also, with most farmers looking for good R+ and U grade types.

Heifer prices mirrored those paid for the equivalent weight and quality bullocks.

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.