The consignment of almost 3,000 bulls which left Ireland last week is reported as making good progress and should arrive in Turkey early next week.

The company behind the order, Viastar Ltd, is back buying bulls for another consignment which they hope to deliver before the end of the year.

Buyers are most active for spring-born bulls weighing 270kg to 320kg and are focusing on suckler-bred bulls

Mart managers report that the reappearance of buyers in recent days has helped to steady the trade for higher numbers of lighter weanling bulls being pushed on to the market due to heavy rainfall and deteriorating ground conditions. Buyers are most active for spring-born bulls weighing 270kg to 320kg and are focusing on suckler-bred bulls.

Meanwhile the number of cattle exported live for direct slaughter to Northern Ireland remains at a low level of just over 300 head. The trade, which was flying at weekly levels of 550 to 750 head for much of the summer, has been hit hard by lockdown restrictions and the closure of food service outlets.