There were 500 calves and 600 adult cattle on offer in Macroom Mart on Saturday last and trade was brisk.
There was a very solid cull cow trade, with fleshed or heavy cows making from €1.25/kg to €1.50/kg, which was up slightly on previous weeks.
Plainer-quality cows sold from €1.00/kg to €1.20/kg.
The light 2018-born store was a very popular sell with farmer buyers and they kept a solid floor under these, with outliers making close to €2.20/kg for the traditional beef crosses.
Forward stores were solid sellers with most making from €1.95/kg to €2.30/kg with breed and weight the main price determinants.
Continental bullocks over 500kg sold to the higher prices of €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg.
Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg were a firm trade, as a result of strong farmer demand, and these sold from €2.00 to €2.20/kg for continentals.
Calves
It was a very black and white trade, with Friesian bulls making from €70 to €130.
The number of Friesians is now well back on peak throughput about two months ago.
The supply of Angus and Hereford calves have dropped back also, but the trade for these is still holding quite firm.
Angus and Hereford bull prices ranged from €120 to €300 and heifers from €90 to €280.
Mart manager John O’Mahony said: “Store cattle have been a good trade all spring, despite the fact factory prices weren’t great.
“We’re after having a very busy spring, with a good few sales of over 1,000 cattle.
“The lighter stores around 300kg seemed to come out earlier this year and that’s probably down to the good winter we had.”
Price-wise, John felt quality is always paying.
He said: “You can see the traditional beef crosses are going for a little over or below the €2/kg mark and Friesians are mainly selling for between €1.50/kg to €1.70/kg.
“Continentals then are up over €2.20/kg. But I would be concerned on the suckler sector. It seems to be in disarray.”
Commission rates for adult cattle are €1.5% to the seller with an entry fee of €2.50 and a minimum charge of €9.50/head and €9 to the buyer.