Camera at the Mart was at last Saturday’s special E and U grade weanling sale at Carnew Mart. Mart manager David Quinn said that prices of quality weanlings was strong, backed by firm exporter, farmer and feedlot demand.

Exporters were active for bulls, with prices of up to €3.15/kg being paid for well-muscled types suitable for the Italian market. Average-quality 300kg to 400kg weanling bulls sold mainly from €2.05/kg to €2.25/kg. Feeder demand underpinned the prices of bulls from 350kg to 420kg with the majority sourcing good-quality bulls under one year of age suitable for the bull beef system. Prices for these types ranged from €2.15/kg to €2.25/kg.

Farmer demand was strong on the day and weanling heifers sold mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg. The trade for good-quality R grade store heifers was firm with 350kg to 400kg types making from €800 to €950, or approximately €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg, while better-quality 450kg to 550kg store heifers sold from €1,050 to €1,200. The equivalent store bullock was a similar trade.

Lesser-quality Angus and Limousin dairy crosses were a slightly easier trade on the day. There were 80 cull cows on offer with top-quality U grades selling to €2.00/kg, with other fleshed R grades making €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg. Commission rates are €9 to the buyer and 1.5% to the seller.

Nathan Tuffy