There were 600 cattle on offer at Kilkenny Mart on Thursday, May 1, with "an excellent trade all round", according to auctioneer George Candler.
Commenting on the trade, Candler said: "Some of the lots were up by €100-150/head on last weeks' returns", which he said is a "strange situation when we hear of factories reducing quotes".
The main reason for the better returns were the smaller numbers on offer, with the average price for the 600 cattle sold settling at €1,829/head. Last week, the average sale price settled at €1,534.
Candler noted that there were more beef-types on offer at this week's sale, which he said "suggests that farmers have decided to try the mart instead of the factories and are happy with that decision".
Bullocks over 600kg averaged €4.11/kg with some notable prices including two Charolais bullocks weighing 743kg each selling for €3,360 or €4.52/kg.
Nine Friesian bullocks averaging 600kg sold for €2,330 or €3.88/kg while two Angus bullocks weighing 620kg sold for €2,700 or €4.35/kg.
Bullocks from 500-600kg averaged €4.09/kg or €2,280/head, with two 505kg Limousin bullocks selling for €2,010/head or €3.98/kg.
400-500kg bullocks at Kilkenny Mart averaged €4.08/kg or €1,852/head and bullocks under 400kg averaged €4.14/kg or €1,293/head.
Four Angus bullocks weighing 495kg sold for €4.42/kg or €2,190/head. A pen of four lighter Angus bullocks weighing 295kg sold for €4.34/kg or €1,280/head.
Friesian cull cows sold for €1.90-€3.40/kg depending on quality, and continental cull cows sold for anything from €2.70-3.80/kg.
Light store heifers averaged €3.80/kg, with four Charolais heifers weighing 345kg each averaging €1,420 or €4.12/kg. Four Angus heifers weighing 305kg made €1,200 or €3.93/kg.
Forward store heifers at Kilkenny Mart averaged €4.18/kg, and beef heifers averaged €4.15/kg.
Heavy heifer prices included €2,740 or €4.61/kg for two 595kg Belgian Blue heifers. Up to €5.05/kg was paid for a 550kg Limousin heifer that made €2,780.