Torrential rain helped hold the crowd at the ringside longer on Friday in Skibbereen as trade overall remained steady. Cattle with good weight for age and good confirmation were the top sellers yet again.

Sellers need to be a bit more aware of age when they are selling, as cattle over 30 months or with the potential to be overage within 70 days are less appealing to buyers.

There were 185 bullocks on offer, of which 181 were sold. Friesian bullocks sold from €200 up to €375 with their weight. Angus and Herefords sold from €300 up to €550 over their weight, with some breaking the €2/kg mark, but in the main they sold from €1.85/kg to €1.95/kg. Continentals sold from €400 to €700 with their weight, with autumn 2015-born continentals selling very well.

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Sample bullock prices:

  • One Limousin, 530kg – €1,240, €2.34/kg
  • Three Hereford 445kg – €890, €2/kg
  • Three Angus 435kg – €875, €2.01/kg
  • Two Friesian 545kg – €935, €1.72/kg
  • Two Limousin 330kg – €800, €2.42/kg

    • Weanlings

    There were 120 weanlings on offer, with bulls under 350kg selling extremely well.

    Sample weanling bull/bullock prices:

  • One Charolais, 300kg – €890, €2.97/kg
  • One Limousin 345kg – €865, €2.62/kg
  • One Limousin 325kg – €850 , €2.41/kg
  • Two Limousin 310kg – €850, €2.74/kg

    • Sample weanling heifer prices:

  • One Limousin 360kg – €830, €2.31/kg
  • One Charolais 335kg – €780, €2.33/kg
  • One BlondeD’aquitaine 300kg – €720, €2.40/kg
  • Two Charolais 295kg – €720, €2.44/kg

    • Heifers

    There were 66 heifers available for sale with a 97% clearance rate. Spring 2015 store heifers dominated number wise.

    Sample heifer prices:

  • Four Charolais 400kg – €880, €2.20/kg
  • One Hereford 400kg – €840, €2.10/kg
  • One Limousin 410kg – €940, €2.29/kg
  • One Limousin 480kg – €1,180, €2.46/kg
  • Three Charolais 390kg – €905, €2.32//kg

    • Cows

    There were 57 dry cows on offer, with weight and condition dictating price, meaning there was no huge changes in prices. Cows made from under €80 up to over €505 over their weight.

    Sample cow prices:

  • One Friesian 780kg – €1,005, €1.29/kg
  • One Limousin 765kg – €1,180, €1.54/kg
  • One Charolais 815kg – €1,320, €1.62/kg
  • One Friesian 680kg – €930, €1.37/kg

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