Last Friday’s weanling sale at Loughrea Mart saw a large entry of 600 animals on offer, the largest weanling sale to date. Mart manager James Cooney said that the trade was very strong, backed by exporter and farmer activity mainly, but there was also some feeder demand for better-quality heavy bulls. The trade was dominated by top-quality bulls and heifers, with James commenting that the quality on offer was superior to last year.

Prices of bulls from 300kg to 400kg would have averaged about €2.50/kg, with better-quality types making north of €3.00/kg with relative ease. Top-quality heavy bulls made very high prices, with 380kg and 390kg bulls making €1,305 and €1,260/head respectively, up to €3.43/kg. These were going for further feeding. The majority of bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg. Lighter types were met with good demand also and prices ranged from €2.70/kg to €2.90/kg for average-quality types.

The heifer trade was strong also. The majority of top-quality heifers sold from €2.70/kg to €3.00/kg with average quality 300kg to 400kg types making from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg. Lighter types from 200kg to 300kg sold mainly from €2.70/kg to €3.00/kg with top quality light heifers making over €3.10/kg. Commission rates are €9 to the buyer and €1.5% to the seller.