According to Seamus O’Keeffe, mart manager from Kanturk Mart, Co Cork, over 80% of the 200 weanlings on offer at their autumn-born special weanling sale were bought by exporters.

He said there was excellent stock on offer, the majority consisting of Limousin, Belgium Blue and Charolais cattle.

Live exporters were strongest on the day, with some farmer buyers active from the midlands. Farmers are a little more cautious as a result of factory beef prices being low for much of the year.

The majority of 2013-born bull weanlings were making between €2.40/kg and €2.80/kg and heifers were similar. The supreme champion of the show and sale was a 335kg Belgian Blue bull that made €1,440 (€4.29/kg).

The reserve was also a Belgian Blue, which weighed 445kg and made €1,190 (€2.67/kg). Four Belgian Blue heifers weighing 400kg made €1,190 (€2.98/kg) and one Charolais heifer weighing 370kg made €1,040 (€2.81/kg).

A good-quality Limousin bull weighing 380kg made €1,000 (€2.63/kg) and a Belgian Blue bull weighing 325kg made €970 (€2.98/kg). An Aberdeen Angus heifer weighing 480kg made €845 (€1.76/kg).

Commission rates for buyers start off at €7.50 for calves and weanlings and max at €20 for sucklers and dairy. Commission for sellers start off at €5.50 for calves and a maximum of €15 for sucklers and dairy.

Peter Varley