Friday night'sheavy rain was one of the main talking points among farmers at Saturday's sale at Balla mart. There was another strong entry of store cattle and cull cows and demand was said to be steady.

The best of the trade were the bullocks who were met with firm demand. Like previous weeks, however, plainer quality cattle continue to be a slower and more difficult sell. Good quality continental forward bullocks are firm with the majority selling from €1.90/kg to €2.20/kg for those over 600kg.

Top quality U grade types are continuing to make upwards of €2.30/kg. Lighter stores from 500kg to 600kg are firm. However, plainer bullocks were back a bit today.

Average quality types sold from €2.1 0/kg to €2.20/kg with better quality U grades making from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg. Light stores from 400kg to 500kg were steady as prices ranged from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg with top quality types making from €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg.

Sluggish heifers

The heifer ring was a little more variable than the bullock ring. Heifers over 500kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg, with top quality types making over €2.40/kg. Lighter store heifers were variable, with quality having a larger impact on price.

Even some average quality lots were met with an easier trade today, but top quality types are holding firm. Prices averaged from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg with top quality types making up to €2.50/kg.

Cull cows

The cull cow trade continues to be slow, with prices easing slightly again in the past week. The average continental feeding cow was making from €1.40/kg to €1.70/kg with fleshed types making up to €1.90/kg. There was a selection of in-calf heifers and cows with calves at foot. Prices ranged from €1,100 for older cows with young calves to €1,700 for better quality younger outfits and from €1,500 to €1,600 for in-calf heifers.

Scroll through the gallery at the top to see a selection of the animals offered at the sale

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Cull cow demand steady in marts