There was a special R and U grade weanling sale which saw strong demand for all good quality types. Heavy store bullocks were a firm trade on last week with some buyers trying to source numbers before grass buyers become active. Despite the weather, however, some grass buyers were sourcing too, with the seven-month stocking rate rule firmly in their minds.

Heavy heifers doing well

The majority of heifers from 550kg to 600kg sold from €550 to €700 along with their weight, with top quality types making over €1,450. Lighter store heifers were met with strong demand also, but prices were not as strong as heavy types.

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Bullocks were a relatively good trade on the day; prices lagged slightly behind the equivalent heifer. Good quality bullocks over 600kg sold mainly from €500 to €700 over the weight. Lighter store bullocks from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €500 to €700 along with the weight or for about €2.40/kg for average quality types.

Quality weanlings on offer

There were some excellent quality weanlings on offer on the day also. Some exporters were active for top quality types and for average quality bulls. There were buyers active for heavy feeding type bulls and paid from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg for those over 400kg. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg averaged at about €2.50/kg to €2.70/kg or from €500 to €700 over the weight for good quality types. Plainer types made about the €500 over. Well muscled types sold for over €3.00/kg.

Weanling heifers were a strong trade also and sold from €2.50/kg to €2.70/kg for average quality 350kg types. While the top third made up to €3.00/kg.