Finisher demand for heavier cattle drove prices on another notch in Bandon Mart on Monday last for the west Cork mart’s annual store cattle show and sale.
Prices for bullocks and heifers averaged around €3.70/kg, but that included all from Friesian bullocks to continentals.
Traditional beef-breed stock backboned the sale and for any of those close to or over 500kg, they generally sold from €3.80/kg to €4/kg.
Fleshed cows came close to and on occasion broke €3/kg, while the average price for cows was closer to €2.50/kg.
There was a 99% clearance of the 674 animals on offer in the sale.
'Grass is driving demand'
After the sale, manager Sean Dennehy said: “Trade has picked up an awful lot compared to a month or five weeks ago. Grass is driving demand and prices have kicked on a lot since then.
"When in the middle of the drought, you were looking at €3.30/kg to 3.50/kg for bullocks – that’s up to €3.80/kg to €4/kg now, with even up to €4.20/kg for the top lots. That’s a fair lift. Heifers would be making similar money.
"A lot of finishers are buying them for the Christmas trade, especially the heavier stock, those ones from 500kg-plus. A lot depends on weight for age, that seems to be the thing.
"Animals that have thrived well, there’s good demand for and we’re seeing it in the weanlings too. The ones from 190kg to 280kg, there’s fierce demand for them and they seem to be going into good money.
"Lighter weanlings are making a higher price per kilo, but not running in the higher prices.
"Cows are starting to appear, but we aren’t anywhere near the peak of cows. I’d expect that after the next period of bad weather. Grass has come good and farmers seem to be milking on.
"Demand is good for young empty cows, but they have to tick all the boxes and be right. The best ones are making up to €1,700, but they have to be correct looking.”
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