Boost to trade as numbers begin to fall in Corrin

Cork Marts Fermoy held its weekly cattle sale on Tuesday, 24 October. The sale totalled 860 entries which were met with a steady trade resulting in a 98% clearance. There was a reduction in the number of cattle on offer but there was a large entry of cull cows which is expected to rise in the coming weeks.

The large volume of cows was met with a firm trade with the well fleshed Friesian cows selling from €1.50/kg to €1.70/kg. Some prices included a Friesian cow weighing 720kg selling for €1,220 (€1.69/kg) and another Friesian cow weighing 760kg selling for €1,210 (€1.59/kg)

The poorer parlour cows were a tougher sell and ranged from €0.70/kg to €1.30/kg. There was a selection of forward and well conformed continental cows available which were met with an exceptional trade. Topping the section was a Simmental-cross cow weighing 860kg selling for €1,930 (€2.24/kg) followed by a Limousin-cross cow weighing 850kg selling for €1,900 (€2.24/kg).

Bullocks

The bullocks were met with a vigorous trade with an increased appetite for all in spec bullocks weighing over 500kg with a 10 to 15cent/kg rise on the previous fortnight.

The top end ranged from €2.30/kg to €2.91/kg which included a Belgian Blue-cross bullock weighing 640kg that sold for €1,780 (€2.78/kg) and the traditional types were not to be outdone with four Angus bullocks weighing 650kg selling for €1,640 (€2.52/kg).

The lighter bullocks were predominantly traditional crosses. The trade for these types remained steady with prices ranging from €1.50/kg €2.37/kg.

The heifer trade was on par with previous weeks and is continuing to hold firm. Angus and Hereford-cross heifers made up the majority in the 300kg to 400kg section with a top price of €880 paid for six Angus-cross heifers weighing 391kg (€2.25/kg) the general run of these heifers sold from €1.50/kg to €2.30/kg

The forward heifers were snapped up by finishers and agents with Charolais-cross heifers weighing 750kg selling for €1,990 (€2.65/kg) and a Charolais-cross heifer weighing 700kg sold for €1,850 (€2.64/kg).

Hereford and Angus heifers weighing 595kg sold to €1,390 and sat comfortably in the €2.10/kg to €2.40/kg bracket.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal after the sale, Corrin Mart Manager Sean Leahy said, “there is a much bigger appetite for the quality forward Hereford, Angus and Continental cattle weighing 500kg plus and these are all seeing a 10c/kg to 15c/kg jump.