Last Saturday saw a break from sales at the mart due to a combination of the Galway races and the bank holiday weekend.

The mart was packed with farmers who were actively viewing the trade, however farmer buyers were not as plentiful as other weeks.

Stock

Forward and short keep bullocks and heifers were again the best of the trade with those over 600kg achieving €800 over the weight, easily, several times.

Lesser quality types in the same weight range sold mainly from €700 over and upwards.

Those from 500kg to 600kg were fairly abundant and buyers were active.

This Belgian Blue cross bullock, born March 2015 and weighing 585kg sold for €1150 (€1.97/kg).

The top of the market were top quality U grade types, with average to plainer quality types selling frequently for around €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg.

Top quality types were making well over €750 along with the weight.

There were a god supply of those from 400kg to 500kg, these were a mixed trade at times, with not as much buyer activity as a few weeks ago.

This May 2016 born Charolais heifer, weighing 440kg sold for €1130 (€2.57/kg).

Weanling bulls

Weanling bulls were a strong trade where the quality on offer was good, but plainer types and lighter types at times were not met with as high of clearance rates.

This Charolais bullock, born April 2016 and weighing 330kg sold for €900 (€2.73/kg).

Heifers

The heifer trade was brisk for top quality heavy types, who sold easily for €800 over the weight and upwards.

Where age was an issue, prices were back well on in spec stock.

Lighter heifers from 500kg to 600kg sold at similar prices to bullocks in the same weight, and buyers were active.

Store heifers from 400kg to 500kg were abundant once again, demand was back slightly on previous weeks, but prices were still holding quite well.

The majority of these types sold from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg.

This November 2015 born Angus cross heifer weighing 420kg sold for €800 (€1.90/kg).

Light weanling heifers were a little variable and clearance rates at times were not as high as previously.

Those around 200kg to 240kg that were average to lesser quality were making €520 to €600.

This November 2016 born Limousin five star heifer weighing 290kg sold for €905 (€3.12/kg).

Cows

There was a good entry of cows with calves at foot, demand was strongest for young good quality cows with good quality calves at foot.

Prices for top quality types ranged from €1500 to €1800 with plainer and older teams selling mainly from €1300 to €1500.

This Limousin cross cow, born 2014 with a Charolais bull calf at foot born November 2016 sold for €1440.

This 2009 born Belgian Blue cross cow, with a Charolais heifer calf at foot sold for €1250.

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Cattle prices: positive start to weanling sales

What's on in the marts