There were a total of 730 cattle on offer at Kilkenny Mart on Thursday, February 26.

Commenting on the trade, auctioneer George Chandler said that light bullocks and heifers met "an excellent trade".

He added that the "beef and forward stores are disappointing price-wise".

He highlighted that the average price of bullocks and heifers under 400kg was €4.40/kg, but those over 500kg are only averaging €3.85/kg.

Bullocks

Heavy bullocks over 600kg averaged €2,532/head and 500-600kg bullocks averaged €2,166/head.

Six Hereford bullocks weighing 730kg sold for €2,780 or €3.81/kg. Another three Friesian bullocks weighing 700kg sold for €2,560 or €3.66/kg.

One of the highest prices per kilo in the over-500kg weight range was paid for three Charolais bullocks with an average weight of 545kg that sold for €2,620, or €4.81/kg.

Bullocks in the 400-500kg weight bracket averaged €4.50/kg or €2,009/head.

Three Charolais bullocks weighing 450kg sold for €2,400/head or €5.33/kg.

Two Friesian bullocks weighing 420kg sold for €3.64/kg or €1,530/head.

Bullocks under 400kg averaged €1,465/head with 10 Angus bullocks weighing 295kg selling for €1,400/head or €4.75/kg.

Heifers

In the Kilkenny Mart cull cow sale, Friesian cull cows made from €1.70-€3.40/kg. Continental cull cows made from €3.20-€4.10/kg.

Heavy heifers made up to €3,010 for a 730kg Limousin heifer.

Two Limousin heifers weighing 655kg sold for €2,760 or €4.21/kg.

Forward store heifers made up to €4.77/kg for a 470kg Limousin heifer.

€3.96/kg was paid for three Belgian Blue heifers averaging 503kg that sold for €1,990/head.

Light store heifers made up to €4.58/kg for seven Angus heifers weighing 227kg that sold for €1,040/head.