The transition to completely online sales has been difficult for buyers and sellers alike as they get used to new technology and a completely new way of doing business for the vast majority of farmers.

Tuesday’s sale sale in Raphoe was powered by the MartBids platform and there were almost 400 viewers throughout. Good-quality continental suckler cattle were a good trade, with a real appetite for lighter well-shaped heifers.

Heavier and plainer-type bull calves were especially difficult as farmers seem to be moving away from bull beef systems in large numbers.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bull calves

This 310kg April-born Belgian Blue bull calf sold for €760 (€2.45/kg.

This 320kg April-born Charolais sold for €830 (€2.59/kg).

This 370kg Simmental bull calf born in March 2020 sold for €860 (2.32/kg).

This 335kg April-born Limousin sold for €900 (€2.69/kg).

Heifers

This 330kg January-born Charolais heifer sold for €780 (€2.36/kg).

This 385kg November 2019-born Charolais heifer sold for €850 (€2.21/kg).

This 385kg March-born Charolais heifer sold for €850 (€2.21/kg).