Last Tuesday’s special sale at Iveragh Co-op Mart, Caherciveen, saw a strong entry of bullocks and bulls on offer.

Mart manager Mike Kissane said that there was a very positive vibe around the mart, much better than the same time last year.

He added that farmer buyers and feeders were particularly active for all good-quality types, which helped create a buoyant trade.

In terms of the supply of cattle, there were over 400 head of cattle on offer between bulls and bullocks, which was a good show of stock.

There was export activity for light bulls from 200kg to 320kg, which kept a firm floor under prices of these types, while farmers were the main buyers of bulls from 300kg to 350kg.

They were mainly sourcing to castrate and put back out to grass. Mike added that the feeders were buying good quality bulls over 350kg.

There were about 150 bullocks on offer also. Plainer store bullocks sold mainly for about €2.00/kg, with the main demand seeing continentals sell from €2.30/kg to €2.55/kg.

The best demand on the day was for forward and short-keep bullocks.

Commission rates are €9 to the buyer if they pay on the day and €10 if they do not and 1% to the seller, with a €5 entry fee and minimum charge of €5 and a maximum charge of €12.