In terms of quality of stock on offer and prices, it was one of Bandon Mart’s best bullock sales of the year.

There were some exceptional forward store bullocks. The standouts for the day were three lots of Angus bullocks from 27 to 29 months of age ranging in weight from 792kg to 871kg, which all sold for €2/kg.

Spring 2016-born bullocks had great weight for age and the prices rewarded this. Friesians stores sold particularly well, selling from €1.71 to €2.05/kg. Overall, Friesians made between €250 and €750 with their weight and traditional beef-crosses sold for between €440 to €860 over the €/kg. It was mainly spring 2016- or autumn 2015-born continentals and these made between €400 and €810 with their weight.

These bullocks born February 2015 weighed 626kg and made €1,315 (€2.10/kg).

Sample bullock prices:

  • Four Angus, January 2015, 871kg - €1,740, €2/kg.
  • Seven Angus, March 2015, 436kg - €860, €1.97/kg.
  • Three Hereford, March 2015, 626kg - €1,315, €2.10/kg.
  • One Simmental, October 2015, 515kg - €1,140, €2.21/kg.
  • Four Friesian, March 2015, 652kg - €1,230, €1.89/kg.

    • These bullocks, born January 2015 and weighing 871kg, made €1,740 (€2/kg).

  • Two Limousin, April 2016, 440kg - €1,250, €2.84/kg.
  • Two Charolais, February 2016, 442kg - €1,200, €2.71/kg.
  • Five Hereford, March 2016, 479kg - €990, €2.07/kg.
  • Four Angus, March 2016, 436kg - €880, €2.02/kg.
  • Three Friesian, February 2016, 433kg - €870, €2.01/kg.

    • These bullocks, born January 2016 and weighing 444kg, made €840 (€1.89/kg).

    Cows

    Cow numbers were back this week, with demand continuing for fleshed cows. Well-fleshed Friesians continue to make between €250 and €400 with their weight. Feeder cows sold from €1.20/kg to €1.30/kg. There were about 60 cows on offer and they sold from €90 to €500 over the €/kg.

    Sample cow prices:

  • One crossbred, 565kg - €830, €1.47/kg.
  • One Friesian, 710kg - €1,070, €1.51/kg.
  • One Friesian, 650kg - €950, €1.52/kg.
  • One Friesian, 770kg - €1,230, €1.60/kg.
  • One Charolais, 635kg - €1,060, €1.67/kg.

    • This cow weighed 680kg and made €960 (€1.41/kg).

    Heifers

    Heifers were thin on the ground this week and made between €360 and €750 with their weight.

  • One Angus, January 2016, 520kg - €1,080, €2.08/kg.
  • Four Limousin, March 2016, 377kg - €860, €2.28/kg.
  • One Charolais, August 2015, 565kg - €1,310, €2.32/kg.

    • Calves

    There were 500 calves on show this week, with Friesian bulls selling for between €100 to €150, with older TB-tested calves selling for up to €340. Friesian heifers sold for between €150 and €340.

    Hereford- and Angus-cross bull calves made from €225 to €400, with runners selling for up to €550. Angus and Hereford heifer calves sold for between €200 and €380. Continental heifers sold from €280 to €450, with continental bulls making up to €520.

    For more photos from the sale, see the slideshow above.

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