Killarney Guide

Over 30,000 head mark noted Monday

BY KIM LANGEN

A record number of cattle have passed through the ring of the local auction mart.

Allan Munroe, auctioneer and owner of the Killarney Auction Mart, said Monday’s sale of 1,288 head of cattle brought this year’s total to a whopping 30,633, which marks a new milestone.

“The last record was 29,850 head, which were sold around two years ago,” said Munroe. “This Monday was the first time ever that we sold over 30,000. We were busy. But we coped. It was just another day. We have had full sales every time since Thanksgiving.”

Reasons for the increase in cattle numbers this year were chiefly due to drought, and a shortage of feed, he said.

“We were busy last May because it was so dry. We had four extra summer sales to cope with the shortage of grass and pasture,” said Munroe. “At least we had rain in the fall, and the pastures recovered. We were at the end. We had more cattle sales this year because people were culling a little harder, and tightening things up.”

Calf prices on Monday were decent, he added, but rising finishing costs at the feedlot likely dampened the bidding.

“Calves sold pretty well, but feed prices are high, so they paid less for calves,” said Munroe. “Producers were hoping for more. And they are hoping for more moisture this winter and spring. And a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”

There are two more regular feeder auctions coming up at the Killarney Auction Mart this year, which will crank up the overall record number even more. 

The first auction of 2022 is already scheduled for January 10, a regular sale, when the clock will go back to zero, until it begins to tick on for another year under the auctioneer’s hammer.

BUSY YEAR AT THE MART – The Killarney Auction Mart (pictured above, with auctioneer Warren Wright, during a CFB fundraiser earlier this year) officially passed the 30,000 head count on Monday, making it a record-breaking year for cattle sales. Drought, high feed costs, and a shortage of feed have all put pressure on the beef industry this past year. 

JAY STRUTH/KILLARNEY GUIDE