Sale entries are reflecting their normal seasonal drop off in trading. This was evident at Saturday’s general cattle sale in Aurivo Balla Mart which included an entry of about 250 head. The greatest percentage of this was made up from steers/bulls. Prices closely followed the quality of animals on offer with the best demand continuing for better quality continental cattle with good weight for age.

Good R and U grading 2015-born store bullocks weighing 440kg to 540kg sold in general from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg with the best quality animals rising to €2.40/kg. Lesser quality O grading types sold back to €1.90/kg while crossbreds from the dairy herd sold from €1.70/kg to €2.00/kg. In cases, there was a premium payable for good quality Angus and Hereford steers. A small entry of weanling bulls weighing 300kg to 380kg sold from €2.10/kg for plainer quality lots to €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg for better quality R grading bulls or those with potential to kill into U grades.

Heifers

Trade in the heifer ring followed a similar format. Forward Angus heifers sold from €1.75/kg to €2.00/kg with continental heifers in the 480kg to 600kg bracket selling to €2.30/kg. Again good quality 2015-born R/U grading stores weighing 400kg to 500kg sold to a top of €2.45/kg to €2.60/kg. Lighter heifers were a firm trade with prices for continental types weighing 300kg to 370kg selling from €2.30/kg to €2.70/kg.

Cull suckler cows sold in the main from €1.50/kg to €1.70/kg. A few entries of very heavy top quality cows weighing 750kg to 900kg sold from €1.75/kg to €1.95/kg for a top quality cow heifer. Plainer quality cows lacking significant flesh were low in numbers and sold back to €1.25/kg to €1.35/kg.

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