The main camera at the mart was at last Thursday’s special show and sale at Ennis Mart. Mart manager Martin McNamara said that the trade was much improved on recent weeks, but the number of heavy bullocks and heifers on offer was well up on recent sales on account of the show and sale.

At the top of the trade, heavy well-conformed bullocks sold for up to €1,150 over the weight, while a Belgian Blue cow made €1,250 over the weight.

A greater proportion of forward bullocks on offer were short-keep types that were warm and ready for a finish of six to eight weeks. He added that prices of these were up €100 on the same sale last year.

This Belgian Blue bullock weighing 660kg and born May 2016 sold for €1,620 (€2.45/kg).

This pair of Limousin bullocks weighing 688kg on average and born January 2016 sold for €1,610 each (€2.34/kg).

The average bullock over 600kg sold mainly from €2.25/kg to €2.35/kg or from €900 to €1,100 over for good-quality types. The best heavy bullocks sold from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg.

There were some plainer heavy bullocks on offer also and the demand for these was quite strong, with prices ranging mainly from €450 to €550 over for Friesians and from €750 to €800 over for plainer Limousins.

The main buyers for fleshed types were factory agents, while feeders from all over were buying all good warm stores.

Lighter store bullocks were a good strong trade, with plenty of farmer buyers active, mostly for good continental cattle. Prices of these were on par with recent weeks.

This Charolais bullock weighing 535kg and born April 2016 sold for €1,180 (€2.21/kg).

This Limousin bullock weighing 595kg and born October 2016 sold for €1,470 (€2.47/kg).

The average 450kg bullock sold for €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg, with the top third selling from €2.60/kg to €2.70/kg.

Heifers were a super trade also, with heavy types over 600kg making from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg on average and over €2.50/kg for U grades.

This Limousin dry cow weighing 700kg and born June 2012 sold for €1,250 (€1.79/kg).

This pair of Hereford heifers weighing 402kg sold for €720 each (€1.79/kg).

This pair of Limousin heifers weighing 472kg on average and born April 2016 sold for €970 each (€2.06/kg).

Similar to steers, factory agents snapped up anything slaughter-fit, while short-keep heifers were the next-best demand. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg were a solid trade and sold mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg, with the top third making over €2.50/kg.

Martin said that the cull cow trade has continued to be very strong.

The average 600kg cull cow made €1.65/kg or €1,000, with the majority of well-fleshed types making from €1.80/kg to €1.95/kg.

Commission rates are 1.4% to the seller to a maximum of €13 for singles and 1.2% to a maximum of €11 for doubles, and €9 to the buyer.