There was another large entry of stock on offer at Balla Mart and the trade was firm on last week. Plain light store bullocks and heifers were met with variable demand, but where short-keep bullocks or heifers were on offer, the trade was brisk.

Overage heavy cattle or those that would be slaughtered over 30 months were a little easier at times, especially where they were plain in quality or backwards for their age.

This Charolais cross bullock born July 2016 and weighing 670kg sold for €1,305 (€1.95/kg).

This Angus cross bullock born March 2017 and weighing 560kg sold for €980 (€1.75/kg).

This Charolais cross bullock born April 2017 and weighing 420kg sold for €1,000 (€2.38/kg).

This Charolais cross bullock born May 2017 and weighing 370kg sold for €910 (€2.46/kg).

This Charolais cross bullock born March 2015 and weighing 670kg sold for €1,305 (€1.95/kg).

This aged Charolais cross bullock born July 2015 and weighing 565kg was bid to €950 but not sold (€1.68/kg).

This Limousin cross bullock born March 2017 and weighing 480kg sold for €920 (€1.92/kg).

This Limousin cross bullock born April 2017 and weighing 560kg sold for €1,290 (€2.30/kg).

This Charolais cross bullock born April 2017 and weighing 495kg sold for €1,295 (€2.62/kg).

Bullocks over 600kg sold mainly from €800 to €950 along with the weight for better-quality types.

The majority of good R+ and U grade heavy bullocks sold from €780 to €850 along with the weight.

Forward store bullocks from 500kg to 600kg were a similar trade to last week, with good feeder and farmer demand for them. They sold mainly from €1,000 to €1,250/head for average-quality types. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg were a steady trade on last week, driven by firm farmer and agent demand. They are selling mainly from €700 to €800 along with the weight. However, quality is key to getting the higher prices on offer. Plain quality stores were similar to last week and they sold mainly from €950/head to €1,150/head.

This Limousin cross heifer born May 2017 and weighing 460kg sold for €950 (€2.07/kg).

This Limousin cross heifer born May 2016 and weighing 575kg sold for €1,260 (€2.19/kg).

This Shorthorn cross heifer born April 2016 and weighing 525kg was bid to €790 (€1.50/kg) but not sold.

This Charolais cross heifer born April 2017 and weighing 530kg sold for €1,220 (€2.30/kg).

This Limousin cross heifer born April 2017 and weighing 535kg sold for €1,430 (€2.67/kg).

Heifer prices were steady on last week. Like bullocks, the heavy heifers were the best trade. Top-quality heifers over 550kg sold mainly from €1,200 to over €1,400/head. Store R+ and U grade heifers from 450kg to 500kg sold mainly from €1,100 to €1,250, while plainer-quality heifers sold from €1,000 to €1,100.

Plain store heifers under 450kg were a little easier than last week, but in most cases sellers were choosing not to sell plain heifers at poor prices.

The cull cow trade saw continued strong demand for factory-fit cows, with prices of better-quality types running from €1.70/kg to €1.90/kg. The majority of 650kg to 750kg feeding cows made from €950/head to €1,150/head. Feeding cows were a little easier once more, with the current beef prices starting to have an impact on feeder appetite for cows suitable for wintering and putting back to grass.