Saturday’s sale at Balla Mart saw a much larger entry of stock on offer, with two rings back in action.
The best trade was seen in the bullock ring, with farmer buyers and agents very active for all types of stock. Like last week, heavy bullocks were a strong trade, despite the increase in numbers.
Prices for good-quality heavy bullocks ranged mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg, with some making more than this. Bullocks from 500kg to 600kg were a strong trade, particularly good-quality types. Prices of these ranged mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg. Average-quality types sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg.
Bullocks from 400kg to 500kg were a well-improved trade also, where the quality on offer was good. At the top of the market, bullocks sold mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.45/kg, while average-quality bullocks in the same weight range sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg for R grades. There were some lesser-quality bullocks on offer, which sold mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg.
Heifers
Heifers over 600kg were a very strong trade where they were suitable for finishing underage. Top-quality heifers over 600kg sold from €2.20/kg to €2.25/kg and higher at times. Average-quality types in the same weight range sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg.
Forward store bullocks from 500kg to 600kg were a strong trade for good-quality types, but plainer types were met with more mixed demand. Prices averaged from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg. Plainer types sold from €1.85/kg to €1.95/kg.
Quality was the main issue affecting prices of stores from 400kg to 500kg. These sold for around €2.20/kg on average or €500 to €600 along with the weight. The top third in terms of quality were met with a brisk trade and sold from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg at times. However, plainer-quality heifers struggled to hit €1.90/kg at times.
Cows
There was a good entry of cull cows on offer once again. Demand was strong, with some Northern buyers driving the prices of slaughter-fit and short-keep types. Cows over 700kg sold mainly from €600 to €800 along with the weight.
Prices of all short-keep cows were a little ahead of last week, as were price paid for some feeding cows. Feeding cows from 600kg to 700kg sold mainly from €300 to €400 along with the weight.
There were some Friesian and Jersey-cross bred cows on offer also, which sold mainly from €0.80/kg to €0.95/kg. Better-quality Friesian cows sold mainly from €1.00/kg to €1.05/kg.
In pictures: smashers on show at Roscrea fatstock show