Birr Mart held its general cattle sale on Monday evening last, with over 150 lots of cattle for sale. This was the first sale held online by Central Auctions, with buyers able to purchase lots online.

Potential buyers viewed all cattle before the sale started and then were able to bid online as lots came into the ring.

This May 2018 Hereford-cross bullock weighed 490kg and sold for €870 (€1.78/kg).

Heifers were a particularly good trade on the day, with good-quality heifers in the 350kg to 400kg bracket hitting €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg at the sale.

Average dairy-cross heifers were back around €2.10/kg to €2.15/kg, with a small premium being paid for good-quality Angus and Hereford heifers.

These pair of Freisian bullocks born in March 2018 weighed 522kg and sold for €900 (€1.72/kg).

In the bullock ring, it was a similar story, with good appetite for the top-end stock. Good-quality bullocks in the 400kg to 500kg bracket were hitting €2.10/kg, with a few good continental lots hitting €2.20/kg.

This June 2018-born Charolais bullock weighed 555kg and sold for €1215 (€2.19/kg).

Poorer-quality Freisian bullocks met an easier trade, with €1.60/kg to €1.70/kg buying a lot of what was on offer.

This April 2018-born Limousin-cross bullock weighed 610kg and sold for €1.340 (€2.20/kg).

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Central Auctions’ Michael Harty said: “We were happy with the sale. There is lots of appetite out there for stock, especially anything with good flesh on it.”

Commission rates in Birr Mart are €9/head to the buyer and €10 to €15/head to the seller.

This well-framed 2012-born AA cow weighed 765kg and sold for €1,300 (€1.70/kg).