Camera at the Mart was at last Tuesday’s general cattle sale at Nenagh Mart.

Mart manager Matt Malone said that there was a strong entry of stock on the day, with almost all types met with strong demand.

There was a good entry of store bullocks on offer, which Matt said sold to a steady trade.

Forward bullocks over 500kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg, while the top third sold to over €2.50/kg. Lesser-quality types were met with a little more price pressure, but quality was key.

Lighter store bullocks from 400kg to 500kg were a firm trade also and averaged from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg, with the top third in terms of quality selling from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg.

Matt said that there was strong activity on the day for all fleshed types, with agents active. Good grass growth in recent weeks has fuelled much of the demand.

There was solid demand for good-quality Friesian bullocks.

The heifer trade was strong, but numbers of heavier types on offer were low. Heifers from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality types, with the top third selling to over €2.40/kg.

Lighter 400kg heifers sold mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg, with quality lots commanding prices of up to €2.80/kg.

There was a good entry of cull cows on offer on the day.

Matt said that with quotas gone, he expects cull cows to come straight from the parlour slightly later this year than in previous years.

Older and plain Friesians are selling from €100 over to €300 to €400 over for better quality types.

Commission rates are €9 to the buyer and 1.5% to the seller, with a maximum charge of €15 per head.