Last Thursday’s cattle sale in Kilkenny Mart saw some stability entering the trade for bullocks and heifers. Good-quality 2014-born R and U grade store bullocks weighing 500kg to 580kg sold from €2.05/kg to €2.25/kg with highest-quality lots to €2.30/kg.

Dairy crossbreds and Friesian stores sold from €1.60/kg to €1.85/kg, with good-quality Angus and Hereford trading from €1.90/kg to €2.05/kg. Heavier stores and slaughter-fit bullocks sold from €1.90/kg to €2.05/kg.

A small number of yearling bulls sold from €1.80/kg to €2.10/kg, with some very good U grading bulls selling to €2.25/kg. Plainer Friesian bulls with age not on their side sold back to €1.40/kg.

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General prices for good-quality continental R and U grading heifers ranged from €2.10/kg to €2.25/kg with exceptional quality lots rising to €2.35/kg. Plainer lots sold from €1.95/kg to €2.05/kg, with Angus and Limousin-cross heifers with a good size and frame selling best.

Age was also a consideration, with lots currently or likely to be out-of spec meeting a slower trade.

Good-quality fleshed Friesian cows sold from €1.10/kg to €1.30/kg. Cows with an average cover of flesh sold from €0.80/kg to €1.00/kg, while crossbred cows coming straight from the parlour and very short of flesh sold back to €0.55/kg to €0.70/kg.

Good-quality heavy R and U grade cows sold from €1.40/kg to top prices of €1.65/kg, while lesser-quality lots sold back to €1.25/kg. Lighter slaughter-fit or forward feeding cows sold from €1.00/kg to €1.20/kg, while aged cows lacking flesh sold back to €0.80/kg.

Commission rates are €11 to €14 to the seller and €9 to the buyer.