Tuesday’s sale at Ballymena saw 80 store cattle on offer which resulted in another strong trade. Bullocks sold to £645 over for a top-quality 420kg Charolais, but prices in the main ranged from £2.06/kg to £2.20/kg. Plainer types made from £1.95/kg upwards.

Heifers sold to £565 over for a 480kg Belgian Blue. Prices in the range sold mainly from £1.95/kg for £2.20/kg, with top-quality types making up to £2.25/kg. Plainer types sold from £1.80/kg to £1.90/kg.

Friday’s sale saw dairy stock sell to a top price of £1,600, with others ranging from £1,000 to £1,480. In the suckler ring, cows sold to £2,100, while those with calves at foot made from £1,200 to £1,500, with top-quality types making up to £1770. There were 252 calves for sale and prices ranged from £85 to £190 for Friesian bull calves, with continental calves from £365 to £510, which was paid for a top-quality continental.

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Ringside comment: Strong prices for heavier cattle