Prices might be back a little on 2025, but there was plenty of appetite for weanlings at Kenmare Mart for the Co Kerry mart’s weanling sale on Thursday last.
A year ago, over one third of the bulls on offer exceeded €2,000 and while this year this percentage was back to 20%, the strength of the trade is evident in the fact that 42% of the lots of bull weanlings sold for in excess of €1,800.
Numbers were similar to last year and there was a 95% clearance rate for the 172 animals on offer.
Most bulls weighing between 320kg and 380kg sold for between €4.90/kg and €5.75/kg, with grading potential the main determinant of price. Overall, bulls in this category averaged €5.17/kg.
Heavier bulls over 400kg averaged €4.80/kg and they generally sold for between €4.60/kg and €5.20/kg, with some selling for prices either side of this range.
A number of January and February 2026-born bulls were also on offer. Weighing from about 220kg to 300kg, they generally sold for between €5.20/kg and €6.36/kg.
Heifer weanlings weighing from 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.90/kg, with up to €5.59/kg available at the upper end of trade.
'Happy with the trade'
Manager Dan McCarthy was happy with how the trade went.
Speaking afterwards, he said: “We had around the same number, but the prices wouldn’t be that much back on last year for this time of the year.
"We had good stock on show and plenty [of] farmers and plenty [of] exporters at the ring there to buy them, so all looks good. Even though weather is very dry for transporting them, it’s still positive for what is there.
"They were making up around €5/kg for the bulls and for the heifers, nearly the same from €4.50/kg to€5/kg for the nice cattle. There were some cattle made over €5/kg, but it’s still good money and fellas seem to be still happy.
"The weanlings that are selling the best are the weanlings around the 350kg to 380kg and back to 320kg. The heavier weanling, per kilo, was back.
"Good demand for everyone here and a lot of these have been kept since the backend and farmers are moving them now so the spring-born calf will be coming out in August.
"There were some lots of them there today and they met a right good trade. Heifers weren’t that far behind the bulls; there was no great difference between them.”
