Inishowen Co-operative Mart in Carndonagh had a good entry of 570 head on offer in Monday’s general cattle sale.
Mart manager Harry Molloy said buyers were particularly active for good-quality continental cattle with scope to do a quick thrive at grass.
Quality continental yearlings sold from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg, with a few pens of lighter heifers with a good frame selling to a top of €3/kg.
There was a more sluggish trade for similar-quality yearlings which were fed hard over the winter.
Prices for these types ranged from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg, while plainer-quality continental stores also fell into a similar price range, with over-fleshed plainer types selling back to €2/kg in cases.
Heavy bulls are a variable trade. There is firm feeder demand for bulls weighing 500kg to 550kg, with prices ranging from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for good continentals.
Heavy bulls weighing upwards of 700kg and deemed out of spec on age or quality assurance status were a slower sell, ranging from €1.85/kg to €2/kg for R grading types and to €2.10/kg for U grades.
There were customers for a small entry of cows with calves at foot selling from €1,300 to €1,500, while young continental dry cows sold to a top of €1.80/kg to €2/kg.
Commission rates are €8 to the buyer and 1.5% (minimum €10, maximum €15) to the seller.