After yesterday’s rain, a drier morning resulted in an improved trade today at Balla mart. Grass buyers and agents were active for all cattle types. Again, plainer cattle were slower to sell than continentals but forward store bullocks were particularly strong.

Bullocks over 600kg sold mainly from €700 to €850 along with the weight. Better quality types made as much as €870 over. Lighter types from 500kg to 600kg were a strong and steady trade and ranged mainly from €700 to €800 over. Those from 400kg to 500kg were steady also and made from €600 to €700 along with the weight.

Heifers were a solid trade on the day with average prices slightly behind the equivalent bullock. Better quality types with breeding potential were a very good trade. Forward heifers over 500kg sold mainly from €650 to €750 over the weight, with the U grades making from €750 to €840 over the weight. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €600 to €750 over.

There were plenty of buyers around for weanlings also. Prices of bulls ranged mainly from €850 to €1050 per head, with more bite around the ring for weanling bullocks. Weanling heifers sold at very similar prices to the same weight bull. The average 300kg to 400kg heifer made from €800 to €1050.