There was a 99% clearance at a special weanling show and sale in Skibbereen Mart on Friday last.

Shippers were extremely active again and accounted for two-thirds of the 140 bulls on offer.

Late August is when the main changeover between autumn- and spring-born weanlings occurs and can affect price a little and this was the case in west Cork, where the average price for bulls weighing between 300kg and 400kg was back 35c/kg compared with a month ago.

That average slip was felt right through the sale. An average of €5.18/kg for the top third of bulls in that weight range shows that good stock were still making top money.

Heavier bulls from 400kg to 500kg traded for an average of €4.35/kg, back 28c/kg on the July sale.

Heifers on fire

Commenting on the sale, manager Keith Mullaney said: “The top end of the calves were very good. Anything making above €5/kg, you can’t be complaining with that for the ones under 400kg. That stronger, plainer bull was probably a tougher sell though.

"Heifers were on fire. The good R+ or U grade animal was hitting up to €5/kg and there was definitely more farmer activity for heifers. There’s a few starting back buying bulls too.”

A noticeable feature of the sale was that the comment section of the display board carried more writing than usual, with farmers declaring the vaccination status of their weanlings. This was very helpful, Keith added.

“We had a very high percentage vaccinated and it’s vital that they are. Buyers are more confident buying those weanlings and they’re definitely willing to pay a bit more when they are vaccinated.”