Camera at the mart was at last Saturday’s special weanling sale at Macroom Mart. Yard manager Tim McSweeney said that the entry was slightly larger than the same sale last year, with numbers starting to creep up at the mart in the past few weeks.

There was an entry of over 190 bulls along with 70 heifers on the day. In terms of prices, he said that they were happy with the prices achieved given the trend in prices in recent months.

In the main, farmers were quite happy with the prices achieved at the sale also, and a clearance rate of 94% was achieved.

The positive grass situation was a clear help to the trade, with farmer buyers the most active for all types at the sale. Tim commented that strong grass supplies have brought buyers out to the mart ring a little earlier than the same time last year, which was helped a positive trade.

Weanling bulls from 300kg to 400kg were a good trade, with farmers very active for all good-quality types. Prices ranged mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg for average-quality types, while the top third in quality terms sold freely from €2.50/kg to €2.70/kg. Some of the leading prices saw bulls make from €500 to €650 along with the weight.

Demand for light bulls was very strong and on a price-per-kilogramme basis they excelled. However, the number of light bulls on offer was low. Those from 200kg to 300kg sold mainly from €2.60/kg to €3.00/kg. Heavy bulls were a solid trade, although Tim said that prices ran about €60 to €80/head behind the same sale last year. Bulls from 400kg to 450kg sold mainly from €1,000 to €1,100. Exporters were active, but a major driver of the trade. Farmer demand and midlands buyers dominated.

The heifer trade saw strong demand from farmers and prices were up slightly. Heifers from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €2.25/kg to €2.45/kg for good-quality types, with the best-quality heifers making over €2.60/kg. Light heifers from 200kg to 300kg sold from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg for average-quality types. Top-quality types made over €2.90/kg.

Commission rates are 1.5% to the seller, along with an entry fee of €2.50/head with a minimum charge of €9.50/head, and €9 to the buyer.