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Last Tuesday’s sale at Ardee Mart saw another increased entry of cattle on offer. Mart manager James Shannon said that the number on offer has increased in the past few weeks and the trade has been quite strong.
This has been driven by improved farmer and feeder demand for both stores and weanlings. The number of forward stores on offer is low, but demand is quite strong, with feeders snapping up all good-quality short-keep steers and heifers. Store bullocks over 500kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg, while lighter types sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg.
Weanling bulls were a strong trade, with plenty of farmer buyers active. Those from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg.
The heifer trade was quite strong also, with feeders and farmers buying forward stores. Those over 500kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg, with lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg being more plentiful.
There was a share of dairy-cross heifers on offer which sold mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg. These ranged mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg. There was a good number of weanling heifers on offer and those from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg, with top-quality continentals making up to €2.50/kg.
Trade steady despite increasing grass buyer demand
Grass buyer activity increasing in recent weeks
Friesian bull calf prices ease slightly as numbers jump
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