Last Tuesday’s general cattle sale at Ballina Mart saw another good entry of stock for the time of year. With next Tuesday’s sale being the last for the year, numbers are reducing.

Tuesday’s sale saw another steady trade for all good-quality forward store cattle and good-quality weanlings. However, mart manager Billy Loftus said that there have been more plain-quality cattle coming to the fore in recent weeks and those plainer cattle are being met with a more difficult trade.

There were slightly more overage cattle on offer also and these were met with weaker demand. Prices of these ranged from €1.80/kg to €1.95/kg. Good-quality forward store bullocks over 600kg sold from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg. Stores from 500kg to 600kg made from €2.00/kg to €2.15/kg.

The heifer ring saw slightly better demand than the bullock ring, with more farmers active. Prices for heifers from 500kg to 600kg ranged mainly from €2.10/kg for average-quality types to €2.40/kg for U grades. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg made from €2.10/kg to €2.40/kg with heifers selling at similar prices. Friesian cull cows out of the parlour sold from €1.00/kg to €1.10/kg, while feeding continental cows made from €1.40/kg to €1.65/kg.

Commission rates are 2% to the seller to a maximum of €20/head and €9 to the buyer.

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Steady trade for quality cattle, but plainer types a harder sell

We were at last Tuesday's sale at Mayo-Sligo Co-op Mart in Ballina for the usual cattle sale. The trade remains steady for good-quality weanlings and forward stores, but plainer types were tough.