The rain might have been bad, but the prices weren’t in Bandon at a sale which had over 200 bullocks on offer. Forwards stores were much sought-after, with factory and feeder buyers competing. With prices close to, and on occasion over, €2.20/kg for in-spec 2015-born Angus- and Hereford-cross bullocks, this bit of competition was to the sellers’ benefit.

Friesian bullocks made from €200 to €510 over the €/kg. This varied from €1.40 to €1.75/kg for P grade potential stock and close to €2/kg for British Friesian-type bullocks.

Hereford bullocks dominated the numbers in the beef-crosses sold and they made from €350 to €700 with their weight. 2016-born cattle also sold well, with up to €2.30/kg available for most traditional-beef breed crosses.

Continental bullocks were few in number but very high in quality this week and sold accordingly. They made from €400 to €750 over the €/kg.

Sample prices (bullocks)

2016-born stores

  • Six Hereford, February, 410kg - €820, €2/kg.
  • Three Limousin, June, 405kg - €900, €2.22/kg.
  • Six Hereford, February, 392kg - €850, €2.17/kg.
  • Six Friesian, February, 376kg, - €690, €1.84/kg.
  • Six Friesian, January, 364kg - €680, €1.87/kg.
  • Three Angus, May, 400kg - €860, €2.15/kg.
  • Three Belgian Blue, January, 366kg - €920, €2.51/kg.

    • 2015-born forward stores

  • One Angus, April, 635kg - €1,380, €2.17/kg.
  • Three Hereford, February, 583kg - €1,250, €2.14/kg.
  • Five Limousin, April, 582kg - €1,440, €2.47/kg.
  • Five Angus, October, 529kg - €1,200, €2.27/kg.
  • Four Friesian, January, 530kg - €1,040, €1.96/kg.

    • Heifers

    There were 120 heifers on offer and demand was similar to the bullocks, with an equally strong trade for yearling heifers for grazing and finished heavier stock. Heifers made from between €280 and €715 with their weight.

    Sample prices

  • Six Angus, 312kg - €650, €2.12/kg.
  • Five Charolais, 368kg - €850, €2.31/kg.
  • One Hereford, 455kg - €910, €2/kg.
  • One Charolais, 595kg - €1,310, €2.20/kg.
  • Three Angus, 533kg - €1,130, €2.12/kg.
  • Two Charolais, 370kg - €810, €2.19/kg.

    • Calves

    Calf numbers declined, with over 900 on offer, but prices have held as strong as in early spring, with older and stronger calves a feature of recent sales.

    Friesian bull calves made from €80 to €150 with older bull calves selling for up to €300. Hereford- and Angus-cross bull calves sold from €200 for younger calves, with runners making up to €440.

    Heifers of these breeds sold in a similar pattern, with calves making from €160 to €360. Continental heifers sold from €250 to €400 and continental bulls made from €310 to €450.

    Cows

    There was no change in cow prices, with €1.40/kg to €1.60/kg freely available for fleshed cows. A total of 140 cows went through the ring. The majority of cows made from €100 to €715 over their weight.

    Sample prices

  • One Friesian, 660kg - €1,050, €1.59/kg.
  • One Friesian, 690kg - €1,110, €1.61/kg.
  • One Hereford, 695kg - €1,220, €1.70/kg.
  • One Friesian, 520kg - €770, €1.48/kg.
  • One Friesian, 625kg - €960, €1.54/kg.

    • Browse our picture gallery above for more photos and prices.

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