Camera at the Mart: buyer demand results in 100% Kanturk weanling clearance

About 200 weanlings went through the ring in Kanturk Mart on Thursday evening last and they met with good demand.

A relatively even split between dairy- and suckler-bred stock saw a good range of weanlings available for buyers.

The top end of those with dairy background were hitting into similar prices on a per-kg basis as those coming from suckler herds.

In general, bull weanlings from beef dams made between €4.30/kg and €5.36/kg, with up to €1,500 with their weight going at the upper end of trade.

For heifers, anywhere from €3.70/kg to €4.10/kg was paid for good quality stock.

For bucket-fed weanlings, heavier Angus- and Hereford-crosses – along with those sired by continental beef breed bulls – were selling for in excess of €1,000 on occasion, with €800 to €1,100 paid for stronger animals. Lighter beef breed crosses were generally selling from €550 to €800.

'Lively sale'

Manager Colette O’Connell said: “It was a good lively sale. We had over 200 on offer and a full clearance.

"There were exporters active and farmers too, with plenty of activity online, so we weren’t short of buyers.

"Things are positive enough around here, especially since grass is back growing compared to three weeks ago. The drop of rain made a bit of difference to everyone around here.”

She added that monthly evening weanling sales will continue for this year, with the next one due to take place at the north Cork venue on Thursday 8 October.