Fat cattle were an excellent trade at Ballymena Mart last week, with 300 animals forward for sale.

Cows peaked at £1,706 for a 790kg Belgian Blue animal (216p/kg), with other noted prices of £1,696 paid for an 800kg Blue cow.

The general price range on good-quality cows was 150p/kg rising to 175p/kg for younger cow heifers.

Friesian cows were a solid trade, with prices ranging from 115p/kg to 125p/kg for better quality animals, while plainer cows sold from 100p/kg or less.

Prices for bullocks peaked at £1,378 for a 650kg Charolais (212p/kg) followed by £1,316 for a 630kg animal.

Bullocks over 600kg sold upwards from £1,200 depending on quality. Bullocks weighing 550kg to 600kg sold from £1,040 up to £1,150. Friesian bullocks sold to 170p/kg for a 640kg animal at £1,088.

Heifers sold to £1,323 for a 630kg Limousin animal. Other noted prices saw heifers sell from £1,100 up to £1,316.