Ennis Mart’s special weanling sale on Tuesday witnessed a vibrant trade for an entry of over 600 R and U grading Charolais and Limousin bulls and heifers.

The demand for quality continental bulls weighing from 300kg to 400kg was particularly strong, with bulls recording a fine average price of €3.20/kg, with the highest-quality lots exceeding €3.50/kg.

Heavier bulls weighing 400kg to 500kg averaged €3.04/kg, with specialist feeders and factory feedlot agents active, while a smaller number of 500kg-plus averaged €2.78/kg.

Manager Martin McNamara commented that the sale provides more optimism heading into peak weanling sales.

Lighter weanling heifers weighing 200kg to 300kg averaged €2.95/kg with those from 300kg to 400kg selling for an average of €2.92/kg. Heavier heifers weighing 400kg to 500kg recorded a similar average price of €2.91/kg.

Martin said: “We had plenty of fancy prices with heifers selling to as high as €5/kg for the first-prizewinning Blue, with other heifers with breeding potential selling from €3.40/kg to €4/kg. We were pleased with the general run of prices and there is a clear indication that quality stock will still come to the top when there are other challenges at play.”