The main camera at the mart was at last Thursday’s general cattle sale at Kilkenny Mart. In total, there were about 430 cattle on offer, despite it being a quite time of year. The trade overall was said to be strong and steady for all good-quality and forward cattle.

Mart manager Michael Lynch said that there were some plainer cattle on offer also which were a little more difficult to sell compared with previous weeks. However, he added that where quality forward cattle and stores were on offer, prices held firm.

Heavy bullocks over 600kg were a little scarcer, but where on offer were met with solid feeder and farmer demand. Auctioneer George Chandler said that prices ranged mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg, with top-quality continentals making over €2.40/kg or €900 along with the weight. The majority of continentals sold from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg. Plainer Angus bullocks were selling for around €2.00/kg.

Store bullocks from 500kg to 600kg were a fairly steady trade once again. Prices ranged mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.65/kg. Again, Angus with a dairy background were at the bottom of the market, selling from €2.00/kg to €2.15/kg, while continental-bred cattle were in demand and sold mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.55/kg or from €750 to €850 along with the weight.

Lighter store bullocks from 400kg to 500kg had more issues with quality and as a result, prices ranged from €1.80/kg to €2.85/kg. Angus-crosses sold from €1.90/kg to €2.20/kg, depending on quality.

The heifer trade was firm for heavy types. Those over 600kg were not very plentiful. Prices ranged mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.47/kg. Continentals made from €2.10/kg to €2.40/kg, with top-quality types making over €2.47/kg.

Lighter stores from 500kg to 600kg sold from €2.00/kg to €2.45/kg, while lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €1.80/kg to €2.80/kg, depending on quality. Angus and Herefords made from €1.90/kg to €2.20/kg, with continentals selling mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.80/kg.

George said that continental culls made from €1.40/kg to €1.60/kg for feeding types and from €1.70/kg to €2.19/kg for better-quality fleshed cows. Friesians made from €1.05/kg for thin cows to €1.70/kg at the top of the market for fleshed types.