Last Monday’s sale at Inishowen Mart, Carndonagh, saw a strong entry of over 650 head of stock come under the hammer for the bank holiday weekend cattle sale.

Mart manager Harry Molloy said that demand was strongest for weanling heifers from 300kg to 350kg with farmers driving prices. In most cases, these good quality heifers commanded prices of €2.50/kg with better quality types selling to over €2.70/kg.

Demand was strongest on the day from farmers with some demand for fleshed and short-keep heifers and steers coming from factory agents.

Weanling bulls and bullocks were met with firm demand, with prices of average quality lots ranging from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg. Better quality weanling and light store bullocks sold from €2.60/kg to €2.65/kg.

Forward store bullocks sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg with older, short-keep types a slower sell.

There was a selection of cull cows available on the day which were met with firm demand. Prices ranged mainly from €1.70/kg upwards with the best quality types making up to €1.95/kg to €2.00/kg.

There was an entry of cull purebred Charolais cows weighing over 800kg. Prices went up to €1,950, with wholesale butcher demand underpinning the prices of choice lots. Commission rates are €8 to the buyer and €10 to the seller.

Nathan Tuffy