Last Monday’s sale at Kilmallock Mart saw a good entry of 550 head on offer between cattle and calves. Denis Kirby of Golden Vale Marts said that numbers are on par with the same time last year.

Of the 550 on offer, about 57 of these were dairy cows and heifers, most of which were from one clearance sale. Like most clearance sales, farmer demand was high, and with the good weather conditions and strong grass supplies, bidders were active.

Prices ranged mainly from €1,300 to €1,400/head, but these were mostly well-bred February- and March-calving cows.

Aside from the clearance sale, there were another 20 heifers and cows, which sold mainly from €1,000 to €1,150/head.

The calf sale saw about 60 head on offer, which, according to Denis, was similar to the same time last year. In terms of demand, both farmers and exporters were active.

Denis said that Friesian bull calves were back on last year, with the average January-born bull selling from €50 to €70/head, a reduction of about €20/head on the same sale last year.

While the price of Friesian calves was back, he said that Hereford and Angus calves were on par with the same sale last year.

The tops of the January-born Hereford calves sold to €350/head, with the Angus bulls making up to €330/head. Prices for Hereford bulls averaged at €300/head, while Angus bulls averaged €280/head.

Hereford heifers sold for around €250/head, with Angus heifers making about €10/head less than this on average.

In terms of the cattle trade, Denis said that demand was farmer-driven, but there was some exporter activity also. At the top of the market, prices peaked at €1,465 for a 700kg Limousin bullock, or €2.09/kg.

The majority of other continental bullocks sold for around €2.00/kg. Angus bullocks sold mainly from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg, which was on par with the same sale last year, while Herefords sold from €1.60/kg to €1.70/kg depending on quality.

Friesian bullocks made from €1.30/kg to €1.50/kg.

Continental heifers sold for around €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg, with Herefords and Angus making from €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg.

Commission rates are 1.5% to the seller and €9.30 upwards to the buyer.