Good weather conditions and continued strengthening in the factory beef trade is driving cattle buyer confidence to new highs, and this was evident in the cattle prices at general cattle sales in Kilkenny and Tullamore on Thursday, March 27.

Such is the level of confidence in the beef trade that one factory agent recently remarked to Agriland: "Prices of €8/kg will be old news by next week."

While factory base prices are still some way off the €8/kg mark, 'all-in' prices paid for choice lots of cattle have reached the €8/kg mark and above in cases this week.

There were over 1,300 head cattle on offer at Kilkenny Mart on Thursday, March 27. The mart recorded a record turnover for a single day trading of €2.1 million for the 1,370 cattle on offer, according to Kilkenny Mart's George Candler.

The auctioneer said: "The strength of the trade was reflected in the fact that only three animals failed to sell.

"Due to the large sale, some sellers decided not to come, but the fact that the last animals into the ring on Thursday made from €4.20-4.73/kg for animals weighing 565-630kg shows the strong and vibrant trade lasted all day."

Bullocks over 600kg averaged €4.28/kg or €2,790/head with an 875kg Angus bullock making €3,800 or €4.34/kg and two Friesian bullocks weighing 675kg making €2,670/head or €3.96/kg.

In the 500-600kg category, bullocks averaged €4.08/kg or €2,174/head with seven Hereford bullocks weighing 522kg each selling for €2,200 each or €4.21/kg.

400-500kg bullocks averaged €4.00/kg or €1,760/head with a pen of seven Charolais bullocks weighing 473kg making €2,270/head or €4.80/kg.

Bullocks under 400kg averaged €3.91/kg or €1,291/head, with five Friesian bullocks weighing 355kg making €3.52/kg or €1,250/head and six Angus bullocks weighing 399kg making €1,680/head or €4.21/kg.

Friesian cull cows made from €1.70-3.70/kg with continental cull cows making from €2.60-4.25/kg.

Beef heifers averaged €4.00/kg or €2,500/head with €2,900 or €4.39/kg paid for a 660kg Charolais heifer.

Forward store heifers averaged €3.89/kg or €1,735/head with six Angus heifers weighing 468kg making €1,840/head or €3.93/kg.

Light store heifers averaged €3.76/kg or 1,145/head and ranged in price from €2.33 to €5.03/kg. A 255kg Limousin heifer sold for €5.02/kg or €1,280.

There were almost 700 cattle on offer at GVM Tullamore Mart, Co. Offaly on Thursday, March 27 with a full clearance of the cattle on offer in the sale.

Speaking to Agriland after the sale, mart manager Antoinette Daly said: "Farmers selling cattle can't get over the prices their cattle are making.

Sample prices from the sale at Tullamore Mart:

"There were farmers here this week saying they would be over the moon if they got €2,000 for cattle and they came into €2,200, so it's a great confidence boost for farmers selling cattle and it's great to see it."

She explained that the trade in the lighter weight categories is being predominantly driven on by farmers securing store cattle for grass with export customers, feedlot buyers and factory agents all active for the heavier-type cattle also.