Last Thursday’s sale in Raphoe Mart saw an entry of 118 cattle sell to a clearance rate of 93%. There was a steady trade on the day.

The best sellers were heifers of all types, with particular demand for top-quality continental heifers.

Heifers weighing over 600kg saw a rise of 14c/kg for the top third, with these selling at an average of €4.19/kg. There was a rise of 11c/kg for the bottom third, leaving these selling at €3.96/kg.

There was a increase in the number of heifers on offer weighing between 500kg and 600kg. These had the biggest increase in terms of price per kg, but with smaller marts, a handful of extra cattle can make a big difference week on week.

The top third of these heifers sold for €4.34/kg, with the bottom third selling for an average of €3.88/kg.

Lighter store heifers were sought after by grass buyers, with heifers weighing from 400kg to 500kg selling as high as €4.50/kg.

Weanlings

Weanling heifers weighing from 300kg to 400kg sold from €4.68/kg up to €4.87/kg, while a small entry of weanling bulls met a firm demand selling from €4.50/kg up to €5/kg.

There was a smaller entry of bullocks on offer than heifers, with buyers still keen to purchase.

Bullocks weighing over 600kg sold to an average of €3.92/kg for the top third, with the middle third selling for €3.46/kg.

Bullocks weighing between 500kg and 600kg had a better day's trading, with the top third making €3.85/kg, while the bottom third still sold for €3.59/kg, an increase of 15c/kg on the previous week.

Cull cows remain a solid trade, with top-quality continental cows making over €4/kg. Thursday’s sale topped with a Charolais cow weighing 885kg selling for €3,440.

The general run of suckler cull cows sold from €3.40/kg up to €3.80/kg, as top-quality store cows crossed the €4/kg mark.

Older and more store-type suckler cull cows sold back around the €3/kg mark.

There was good demand from grass buyers for Friesian cows, as these sold from €2.50/kg upwards for better-type British Friesian cows.

Better-quality well-fed Friesian cows made up to €3.50/kg.

Watch

Top-priced cull cow was this Charolais cow weighing 885kg and born in 2020. She sold for €3,440 (€3.89/kg).

This 2022-born Charolais cow weighing 820kg sold for €3,280 (€4.00/kg).

In pictures

This Limousin heifer weighing 605kg and born 03/03/24 sold for €2,690 (€4.45/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer weighing 695kg and born 10/03/24 sold for €3,080 (€4.43/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer weighing 725kg and born 28/04/24 sold for €3,000 (€4.14/kg).

This Simmental-cross heifer weighing 635kg and born 02/04/24 sold for €2,680 (€4.22/kg).

This Simmental heifer weighing 475kg and born 26/05/24 sold for €1,800 (€3.79/kg).

This Simmental heifer weighing 600kg and born 25/10/24 sold for €2,470 (€4.12/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer weighing 520kg and born 11/05/23 sold for €2,200 (€4.23/kg).

This Charolais-cross heifer weighing 355kg and born 31/01/25 sold for €1,560 (€4.39/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer weighing 510kg and born 09/04/23 sold for €2,100 (€4.12/kg).

This Charolais-cross heifer weighing 575kg and born 14/06/24 sold for €2,220 (€3.86/kg).

This Charolais-cross heifer weighing 505kg and born 05/03/24 sold for €2,090 (€4.14/kg).

This Limousin heifer weighing 440kg and born 04/06/24 sold for €1,740 (€3.95/kg).

This pair of Limousin-cross heifers weighing 345kg and born November 25 sold for €1,680 (€4.87/kg).

This Belgian Blue-cross bull weighing 315kg and born 18/10/25 sold for €1,440 (€4.57/kg).

This Limousin-cross bull weighing 350kg and born 03/01/26 sold for €1,680 (€4.80/kg).

This Angus-cross bullock weighing 415kg and born 10/03/25 sold for €1,400 (€3.37/kg).

This Angus-cross bullock weighing 425kg and born 20/10/24 sold for €1,450 (€3.41/kg).

This Angus-cross bullock weighing 540kg and born 24/10/24 sold for €2,080 (€3.89/kg).

This Simmental-cross bullock weighing 515kg and born 27/01/25 sold for €1,990 (€3.86/kg).