Camera at the Mart attended the weekly cattle sale in Armoy Mart where a good entry of close on 240 head met with a sharper trade than last week.

Buyers were extremely active on short-keep bullocks and heifers, with continental and traditional beef breeds an easy sell. Friesian bullocks over 600kg were also a solid trade.

Commenting on the sale, mart manager Danny McAllister said Monday’s sale saw improved prices for all sorts of cattle, with good-quality lots and heavy cattle being met with most demand.

He added that more buyers are attending the sales since the start of the year, looking to replace cattle that have been slaughtered in recent weeks.
Topping the trade for bullocks was a smashing 470kg Limousin animal which made £1,270.

A limited entry of forward beef-bred bullocks saw Angus types making £1,140 for a 560kg animal, followed by £1,010 for a 500kg Charolais, while a Belgian Blue animal sold to £1,100.

A big entry of heavy Friesian bullocks saw animals over 600kg selling from £945 to £1,065, with several lots selling from £1,000 to £1,040.

Mid-weight bullocks were a firm trade, with prices edging upwards on previous weeks. A 380kg Charolais bullock made £910, with other lots at similar weights selling upwards from £800.

Limousin stores sold from £830 to £995 for bullocks weighing 390kg to 470kg, with Angus lots making £900 to £940 for 400kg to 440kg bullocks.
Heifers sold to a top price of £1,170 for a 590kg Charolais animal, with other stand-out lots making £1,110 to £1,140 for Charolais animals weighing 560kg.

A good entry of Limousin heifers saw £1,075 paid for a 500kg animal, with a 505kg heifer making £1,070, a 530kg heifer making £1,070 and a 510kg lot making £1,050.
Blue heifers over 500kg sold to £1,050 for a 560kg animal. Lighter types made £1,000 for a 490kg Charolais, with a 430kg heifer making £900.

Limousin heifers weighing under 400kg sold from £680 to £910 for a 380kg animal.

Fat cows were a solid trade, with an 800kg Charolais making £1,040, with good-quality feeding cows making £925 for a 760kg Simmental, while Friesian cows sold to £820 for a 770kg lot.

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