Calves, in particular Friesian bulls, have remained very strong despite concern last autumn. Fleshed cows continue to be in demand. In the bullock ring, grass buyers were out in force for yearling stock and the prices took a jump accordingly.

There was 290 bullocks on offer in the sale. It was a throwback to the old days, with black and white very much in vogue. Friesian bullocks made from €200 to €500 over the €/kg, with beef-crosses selling from €300 to €800 with their weight.

While grass cattle made good money, with a premium on out-wintered cattle, forward-store cattle were an equally good trade, with spring 2015 Angus and Herefords making in excess of €2.20/kg.

Bullock sample prices:

Yearlings

  • Six Friesian, February 2016, 293kg - €560, €1.91/kg.
  • Three Hereford, May 2016, 331kg - €760, €2.30/kg.
  • Four Angus, January 2016, 311kg - €750, €2.41/kg.
  • Six Friesian, February 2016, 310kg - €550, €1.77/kg.
  • Five Hereford, February 2016, 370kg - €820, €2.22/kg.
  • Four Angus, April 2016, 298kg - €650, €2.18/kg.
  • Seven Angus, February 2016, 395kg - €920, €2.33/kg.
  • Five Friesian, January 2016, 338kg - €730, €2.16/kg.

    • Older stores

  • One Charolais, May 2014, 695kg - €1,580, €2.27/kg.
  • Eight Hereford, May 2015, 454kg - €1,100, €2.42/kg.
  • Two Angus, March 2015, 632kg - €1,440, €2.38/kg.
  • One Friesian, February 2015, 515kg - €980, €1.90/kg.

    • Another large calf sale

    There was another large calf sale, with 1,710 calves on offer. Beef-cross calves were in demand, with Hereford and Angus-cross bull calves selling for between €95 and €370 for bull calves, with heifers of these breeds selling for between €101 and €380.

    Shipping-type Friesian calves were selling from €90 to €140, with stronger calves making up to €240. Continental heifers sold from €200 to €520 and continental bulls made from €300 to €470.

    Calves sample prices:

  • Friesian bull, 31 days old, €230.
  • Belgian Blue heifer, 27 days old, €410.
  • Six Angus bulls, 34 days old, €170.
  • Eleven Friesian bulls, 32 days old, €120.
  • Five Hereford heifers, 30 days old, €240.

    • Cow trade steady

    It was steady as it goes in the cow sale, with no real change in what has been a positive trade in recent weeks.

    There was over 150 cows on offer and they made from €75 to €700 over the €/kg. The majority of cows made at least €200 with their weight.

    Cow sample prices:

  • One Friesian, 765kg - €1,180, €1.54/kg.
  • Eight Friesian, 622kg - €890, €1.43/kg.
  • One Hereford, 835kg - €1,480, €1.77/kg.

    • Heifers

    Heifers made from €300 to €700 over the €/kg with 110 animals on offer. Sample prices:

  • One Simmental, 530kg - €1,070, €2.02/kg.
  • Two Charolais, 497kg - €1,080, €2.17/kg.
  • One Limousin, 445kg - €1,090, €2.45/kg.
  • Three Hereford, 395kg - €780, €1.98/kg.

    • See the gallery above for more pictures from Bandon Mart.

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    Cattle prices: strong trade for cows and bullocks in Balla Mart