Speaking to Ballinrobe Mart manager Tom McGuire after the sale he said that they were happy with trade on the day and that although it was a relatively small one, there was a good number of buyers actively bidding throughout.

He said that, as always, there was a good trade for top-quality cattle. A top price of €1,270 was hit twice, once for a Charolais heifer weighing 590kg and also for a 575kg Limousin heifer. A two-year-old Limousin heifer weighing 510kg made €2.35/kg and sold for €1,200.

Trade in the ring seems to have improved since the beginning of lockdown and it definitely has not deterred anyone from bidding for cattle.

Grass supply on farms in the area has been very good over the last couple of months, which has played a role in keeping prices up as well.

Tom concluded by saying that it will be good to get back to some normality at next week’s sale, with a limited number of buyers around the ring which will complement the online bidding experience. The mart expects to see a large entry of cattle for next Wednesday’s sale.

Mart manager comment: Michael Harty

Drier weather taking its toll in Nenagh

Mart manager with Central Auctions Michael Harty said that a week of extremely high temperatures, added to the prolonged dry spell over the last number of weeks, somewhat slowed the demand for grass cattle in Nenagh Mart on Tuesday.

He said that prices over the last couple of months have been very good.

However, grass supply on farms has gotten that bit more scarce over the last 10 days or fortnight and with little rain forecast for the immediate future, buyers were slightly more reluctant.

This did see some downward pressure on prices this week.

Grass cattle really were hit the hardest, with feeding animals escaping the price pressure in most instances.

He said that there has been a good number of enquiries from sellers for next week’s sales, when a certain numbers of bidders will be allowed ringside.

The feeling is that a return of bidders to the ring will encourage some farmers who have held out from selling up to this point to head for the ring in the coming weeks.