It was another bumper week in Kilkenny for their weekly sale of store cattle, with an entry of nearly 1,000 for the second week running.

Dry cows kicked off proceedings in the morning in ring one with trade very consistent across the weights. On average, the near 150 sold made around €1.50/kg.

Continental breeds again dominated the prices in this section, selling to a top of €2/kg. Leading the way was a 2016-born Charolais cow weighing 670kg and selling for €1,340.

A five-year-old Limousin cow was just behind this. Weighing 775kg, she sold for €1.97/kg. Overall, the top 50 lots of dry cows seen an increased average of €1.71/kg.

In ring two, the males took centre stage. Lighter bullocks found it harder to get into the higher prices this week, with 47 selling to average €1.84/kg, back 28c/kg on the week.

Those upper-end continental breeds again managed to get to the €2.50/kg mark but an increase in first-cross dairy beef helped reduce the average.

Top of these first crosses was a group of four Angus steers born late last spring which weighed on average 354kg and sold for €750.

Moving up the steer weight divisions, the trade was much more positive. A lower number of 400kg to 500kg bullocks fit for a summer grazing meant average price increased to €2.04/kg, up 13c on the week. Even the bottom tier of these bullocks easily found their way towards the €1.70/kg mark.

Topping trade in this section was a group of three yearling Charolais bullocks with an average weight of 412kg and sold for €1,060 (€2.57/kg).

As the weight increased and animals became more fit, prices worked their way back with a solid €2.10/kg and above easily obtained for upper-end lots.

Light continental heifers again proved in high demand, with more stylish types fetching as high as €2.60/kg. This wasn’t the norm, however, but most good-quality lots still easily came into €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg. Securing the €2.60/kg was a pair of yearling Limousin cross heifers with an average weight of 365kg.

Similar to the bullocks the older, fitter cattle were back on the money with the top tier secured for around the €2.10/kg.

This deep-bodied five-year-old cow weighed 695kg and sold for €1,220.

A 16-month-old Limousin cross bullock weighing 520kg sold for €1,020.

This 16-month-old Simmental bullock weighed 560kg and sold for €1,170.

This 14-month-old Charolais bullock weighed 470kg and sold for €1,090.

A 2012-born Simmental cow weighing 690kg sold for €1,110.

A 685kg Limousin cross cow born in 2011 sold for €1,090.

This 2016 born Limousin cross cow weighed 615kg and sold for €1,170.