Kilkenny Mart hosted its weekly general cattle sale on Thursday, February 13, with almost 900 head of cattle on offer.

Commenting on the trade, Kilkenny Mart's George Candler said: "The good times are still rolling with more and more cattle each week exceeding the €4/kg barrier.

"Factory agents, exporters, farmer buyers plus Northern Ireland-based customers are all jostling to secure cattle, meaning it has become a total seller's market."

Candler said: "Beef animals were in short supply with the average price per head in this category at €2,325 or €3.47/kg live weight, with Friesians making up to €3.45/kg."

The top price on the day went to a 795kg Charolais bullock that sold for €4.15/kg or €3,300.

Other notable heavy bullock prices from the sale included €2,500 or €3.42/kg for three Angus bullocks with an average weight of 732kg.

A lot containing 10 Friesian bullocks with an average weight of 672kg sold for €2,380/head or €3.54/kg.

In the 500-600kg weight category for bullocks, the average price per kilo was €3.53/kg with a top price in this weight grade going to four Charolais bullocks with an average weight of 595kg selling for €2,340 or €3.93/kg.

Bullocks in the 400-500kg weight category averaged €3.37/kg with two Limousin bullocks with an average weight of 425kg selling for €4.05/kg or €1,720. Six Angus bullocks with an average weight of 480kg sold for €3.54/kg or €1,700/head.

Bullocks below 400kg averaged €3.56/kg with five Friesian bullocks with an average weight of 315kg making €2.73/kg or €860/head. Another batch of six Hereford bullocks averaging 275kg made €1,000/head or €3.64/kg.

Friesian cull cows made from €1.80-€2.80/kg and continental cull cows made from €2.40-€3.35/kg at Kilkenny Mart.

Beef heifers averaged from €3.70/kg and reached as high as €4.13/kg, with forward store heifers averaging €3.39/kg and light store heifers averaging €3.55/kg.