Last Friday’s sale at Ballymote Mart saw an entry of over 500 head of cattle pass through the rings for the special sale. Demand was solid on the day and a very high clearance rate was achieved. Mart manager Stephen Hannon said that farmer buyers were most active on the day with exporters active also.

Store bullocks over 500kg sold from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg on average with the top third of bullocks in the same weight category selling from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg sold from €2.25 to €2.35/kg on average with better quality types selling from €2.50/kg to €2.65/kg.

Heifers remained a solid trade on the day and prices for forward lots over 500kg remained steady on recent weeks. Average quality heifers sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg with U grades selling from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg. Lighter heifers from 400kg to 500kg were a solid trade selling mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.28/kg with U grades making as much as €2.50/kg.

Weanling bulls attracted both farmer and exporter demand and sold mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg with better quality types selling from €2.60/kg to €2.80/kg. Weanling heifers were a very strong trade backed by strong farmer demand. Prices for heifers from 300kg to 400kg ranged mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg.

Commission rates are €9 to the buyer and 2% to the seller to a maximum of €22.