Last Thursday’s sale at Ballymena saw 265 beef cows on offer, which sold to a top price of £2.19/kg for a 510kg Limousin. Beef cows sold mainly from £1.49/kg at the bottom of the market to £1.97/kg, with Friesians selling mainly from £1.18/kg to £1.32/kg for better-quality types.

Beef cattle were another strong trade and sold from £1.99/kg to £2.19/kg, with prices averaging at £2.00/kg to £2.05/kg. Beef heifers sold from £1.02/kg for plainer types to £1.95/kg for top-quality types, with prices ranging mainly from £1.60/kg to £1.80/kg.

Friday’s dairy sale saw an entry of about 134 on offer, with prices ranging mainly from £1,200 to £1,400 with top prices of up to £1,780 achieved.

Suckler cows sold mainly from £1,200 to £1,400 for all good-quality types with calves at foot.

The calf ring saw strong demand and prices ranged mainly from £250 to £425 for aged Angus and Herefords, while Friesian calves sold from £100 to £200 depending on age and quality.

Weanlings were met with a very strong trade and prices ranged mainly from £1.30/kg to £2.50/kg for 250kg to 300kg bulls and from £2.20/kg to £2.40/kg for heavier types.

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A guide to special and upcoming sales in the marts in the coming weeks.