Friday’s sale at Roscommon Mart saw a large entry of 490 cattle on offer, with about 80 pens of bullocks.

Mart manager Maura Quigley said that the quality of stock on offer was very good and this helped the trade.

She added that, in recent weeks, there has been improved activity from feeders. She said that the quality of cattle at the sales in the area continue to draw more and more midlands and southern farmers and finishers to the mart in search of top continental bullocks and heifers.

Friday’s sale saw a strong clearance of about 93%. The number of heifers on offer at the sale was low, as there is a special heifer sale on Friday 28 September.

Maura said that the majority of bullocks on offer were heavy types over 500kg, with very few under 450kg. The average 600kg bullock sold for about €1,330/head, while the top third sold from €1,500 to €1,700, with the very best selling to €1,800.

There were not many plainer bullocks on offer, but the bottom third averaged about €2.00/kg, which was higher than the average bullock made this week around the country.

Bullocks from 500kg to 600kg were the main supply at the sale and average-quality types sold mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg or from €1,265 to €1,375/head.

Plainer-quality bullocks sold from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg or from €1,100 to €1,250/head. However, the strongest demand was for top-quality bullocks in that weight range and these sold mainly from €1,300 to €1,500/head.

The majority of lighter bullocks were stores from 450kg to 500kg. These sold mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg for average-quality types.

Maura said the majority of these would have sold around the €1,100 to €1,200 mark, but there were some plainer ones that sold for just over the €1,000 mark. Top-quality types sold for well over €1,200/head.

Most of the heifers on offer were 400kg to 500kg in weight. However, farmers were holding the best heifers until this Friday so the quality last week was not as high as the bullocks. The average 450kg heifer sold for €2.10/kg, but top-quality types sold from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg.

Commission rates are €10 to the buyer along with a €2 entry fee and 1.9% to the seller.