There were over 790 head of stock on offer at last Friday’s show and sale at Gort Mart. The highest priced bullock was a cracking 935kg Charolais, who sold for €1,900 or €2.03/kg.

Bullocks over 600kg sold mainly from €1,300 to €1,400/head, with better-quality types selling to over €1,700/head.

This Charolais-cross heifer, born April 2017 and weighing 730kg, sold for €1,680 (€2.30/kg).

Bernie said that there was very strong demand for feeding bullocks over 550kg. The majority of those were R+ and U grade continentals and sold mainly from €1,200 to €1,400/head, but there were some plainer types making from €1,140 upwards.

This Parthenaise-cross heifer, born April 2017 and weighing 515kg, sold for €1,200 (€2.33/kg).

Those from 500kg to 550kg were met with strong farmer demand, with plenty out to buy for grass. Prices of these ranged mainly from €1,050 to €1,340, depending on quality.

This Limousin-cross heifer, born May 2017 and weighing 590kg, sold for €1,250 (€2.12/kg).

Heifers over 600kg were a slightly stronger trade than bullocks, with prices averaging at €1,375/head. Prices topped out at €1,745 for an exceptional 725kg Belgian Blue heifer, while the first-prizewinner sold for €1,680 for a 730kg Charolais.

This Belgian Blue-cross cow, born March 2011 and weighing 795kg, sold for €1,520 (€1.91/kg).

Other heavy heifers sold mainly form €1,300 to €1,400/head. Quality was the main factor governing prices for forward heifers from 500kg to 600kg.

Better-quality types sold mainly from €1,200 to €1,300 but there was a greater proportion of slightly plainer types than in the bullock sale. Commission rates are €10 to the buyer and 1.5% to 1.7% to the seller.

This Belgian Blue-cross bullock, born March 2017 and weighing 685kg, sold for €1,450 (€2.12/kg).

This Limousin-cross bullock, born March 2017 and weighing 670kg, sold for €1,680 (€2.51/kg).

This Simmental-cross bullock, born April 2017 and weighing 685kg, sold for €1,500 (€2.20/kg).

This Belgian Blue-cross bullock, born April 2017 and weighing 720kg, sold for €1,480 (€2.03/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock, born March 2017 and weighing 650kg, sold for €1,490 (€2.29/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock, born March 2017 and weighing 625kg, sold for € 1,480 (€2.37/kg).

This Charolais-cross cow, born January 2016 and weighing 630kg, sold for €900 (€1.43/kg).