Kilkenny Market hosted its weekly general livestock auction on Thursday 23 April, with 1,250 head of cattle on offer and over €2 million worth of cattle changing hands on the day.
Comment on trade, auctioneer George Chandler He said there were deeper cuts this week, “with a lift for better beef cattle.”
The auctioneer said more buying activity from factory dealers was seen at the auction.
He added that quality livestock stores “also received strong trade, with a few new customers emerging due to the increase in numbers”.
Bulls
Bulls weighing over 600 kg average €3.85 per kg and range from €3.25 to €4.95 per kg.
A 610kg Limousin bull sold for €3,020 or €4.95 per kilogram.
Eight Friesian bulls with an average weight of 710kg sold for €2,600 per head or €3.66 per kilogram.
The average price of bulls in the 500-600 kg weight category is €3.90 per kilogram or €2,100 per head. Prices for bulls in this weight class ranged from €3.05 to €4.65 per kilogram or €1,600 to €2,580 per head.
A pen of 10 Friesian bulls weighing 505 kg sells for €3.47 per kilogram or €1,750 per head. Six Angus bulls, each weighing 536kg, sold for €2,140, or €3.99 per kilogram.
Bulls weighing 400-500kg averaged €4.00/kg, while bulls weighing less than 400kg averaged €4.05/kg.
Two Charolais bulls weighing 415kg sold for €1,750 per head or €4.22 per kilogram. Three Friesian bulls weighing 465kg sold for €1,830 per head or €3.94 per kilogram.
A group of four Hereford bulls weighing 320kg sold for €1,270 per head or €3.97 per kilogram.
Calves and cows slaughtered
Prices for Friesian cows ranged from €1.80 to €3.20/kg, and prices for Continental slaughter cows ranged from €3.20 to €4.20/kg.
Cow heifers averaged €3.90 per kilogram, with a high of €3,640 for an 850kg Charolais cow.
The average for steers stocked in futures stores is €3.90/kg. Four Hereford cows weighing 450kg sold for €1,680 per head or €3.73 per kilogram.
Light heifers in stores averaged €4.10 per kilogram or €1,290 per head.
Nine Angus heifers weighing 390kg sold for €1,650 per head, or €4.23 per kilogram.
