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The main camera at the mart was at last Saturday’s general cattle sale at Carrigallen Mart. In addition to the usual cattle sale, there was a special entry of 50 dairy cows, which were met with strong demand from dairy farmers.
Mart manager Helen Kells said that dairy farmers were very active. As a result, there was a very high clearance rate.
The top price for dairy cows was €1,640 for a calved cow. The main run of good-quality young calved cows and heifers sold from €1,250 to €1,500.
Plainer cows and heifers sold from €1,000 to €1,200. The next dairy sale will take place on Saturday 18 February.
There was a good entry of runner calves on offer also and Helen said that farmers again were very active for all good-quality types. Prices ranged from €400 to as much as €600 for top-quality continental two- and three-month-old calves.
Young continental and Blue calves made from €220 to €400. There was a good entry of Angus and Hereford calves. Young two- to three-week-old calves sold from €220 to €350, with better-quality Herefords making over €380.
Young Friesian bull calves sold mainly from €60 to €100 for light and from €100 to €150/head.
The weanling trade was brisk. Farmers and exporters were very active and, as a result, a very strong trade ensued.
Weanling bulls from 200kg to 300kg sold mainly from €2.50/kg to €2.75/kg on average, with top-quality types making up to €3.17/kg.
The top third of bulls in that weight range made from €2.90/kg to €3.10/kg. Heavier bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg on average, with the better-quality types selling from €2.70/kg to €2.90/kg.
Weanling heifers were a strong trade also, with both exporters and farmers battling it out.
Weanling heifers from 200kg to 300kg sold mainly from €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg, with better-quality types making from €2.70/kg to €2.90/kg.
Heavier heifers from 300kg to 400kg were met with strong farmer demand and prices ranged mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg for average-quality types and up to €3.15/kg for top-quality types.
Commission rates are €9 to the buyer and €11 to €20 to the seller.
Slightly improved trade for weanlings
Steady trade for store cattle but improved demand for short-keep types
Friesian bull calves static but continental, Hereford and Angus rising
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