The main categories of animals on offer in Thursday’s general cattle sale in Kilkenny Mart were heifers weighing 400kg to 500kg and bullocks in the 400kg to 500kg and 500kg to 600kg weight brackets.

These animals accounted for about 72% of sales recorded through the MartBids system. Prices were largely on a par to last week’s sale with the exception of lesser-quality types, which were easier in cases.

Heifers

Just over 200 heifers weighing 400kg to 500kg recorded an average price of €1.75/kg, with the top third of animals averaging €2.09/kg. These were mainly 2018-born Charolais and Limousin heifers which sold from €1.95/kg to a top of €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for the best quality lots on offer. The bottom third of heifers averaged €1.48/kg.

Nice-quality Angus and Hereford heifers aged around 18 to 20 months and weighing 400kg to 430kg sold from €1.42/kg to €1.50/kg on average, with a selection of heavier heifers with better weight for age rising to €1.55/kg. Likewise, some aged heifers exceeding 30 months and exhibiting poor weight for age sold back to €1.35/kg.

Steers

Steers attracted a significant premium over heifers, with the top third of about 200 lots weighing 400kg to 500kg averaging €2.23/kg. Again, nice-quality R and U grading Charolais and Limousin bullocks were the best sellers, with top prices ranging from €2.20/kg to €2.50/kg. At the other end of the quality spectrum, 2018-born Friesian steers sold on average from €1.40/kg to €1.55/kg, with Angus and Hereford bullocks falling mainly between a price range of €1.55/kg and €1.80/kg.

The average price for a similar entry of steers weighing 500kg to 600kg was similar at €1.86/kg. The top third price was 5c/kg lower on average, however. The top animals in this category averaged from €2.10/kg to €2.25/kg, with a selection of excellent quality lots rising to €2.30/kg. Average quality lots sold from €1.80/kg to €2/kg, with some continental cross animals that are likely to fall out-of-spec when slaughtered falling into this price range. There were a small number of 18- to 20-month Angus and Hereford cattle in this weight range, with prices ranging from €1.60/kg to €1.70/kg.

Analysis for this report was generated from the MartBids app. MartBids is a collaboration between the Irish Farmers Journal and livestock marts. The app is available for download on iPhone or Android on the App Store or Google Play. With this app, all of the information that is displayed on the mart board is now available on your smartphone, long before the animal enters the sales ring.