The main camera at the mart was at last Monday’s general cattle sale at Thurles Mart. Mart manager Martin Ryan said that there was another strong entry of about 75 pens of cattle available on the day, but the trade in general was a little easier than the previous week.

Cull cow numbers have been slow at the mart, with numbers very small currently. Continental cull cow numbers have been small and prices have dropped a little again in the past week.

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The bullock trade saw a slight decrease in prices across the board. Angus and Hereford bullocks from 300kg to 400kg sold for €1.87/kg on average, back by 10c to 12c/kg on last week.

Continentals sold for €2.12/kg on average and up to €2.50/kg for better-quality types.

Forward store bullocks over 500kg saw Angus and Herefords make €1.86/kg on average. Friesians saw prices decrease by about €70 to €80 for 500kg on the previous week. Average-quality R grade continentals made from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg, with top-quality types making up to €2.50/kg.

One feature of the trade was that there were noticeably less feedlot buyers at the ringside this week when compared to previous weeks.

Martin said that the heifer trade was a little easier also, with more unsold than the previous week. From 300kg to 400kg, Angus and Herefords out of dairy cows made from €1.50/kg to €1.80/kg on average, with continentals making around the €2.00/kg mark.

Feedlot buyers were sourcing those from 450kg upwards and prices averaged €2.01/kg for continentals and €1.86/kg for traditional breeds.

A noticeable feature was that there was much decreased demand for out-of-spec stock, those with more than four movements and cattle that would not be slaughtered in-spec under 30 months. Prices here were about €50 to €70/head behind other cattle types.

Yesterday’s weanling sale saw a tougher trade, according to Martin. He said that BPS money last week saw more farmers active, but increased beef price pressure has made them a little slower to buy this week.

Commission rates are €10 to the seller for singles and €9 for multiples, along with a 0.5% commission and €10 to the buyer.