Tuam Mart’s general cattle sale on Monday witnessed a much livelier trade, with prices for nice-quality continental cattle rising by as much as €20 to €40 on the previous week.

Manager Marian Devane reported that the sale was helped by greater purchasing activity from a number of specialist finishers. This added to ongoing interest from local farmers and northern buyers, with the best appetite for good-quality continental cattle.

This Charolais cross heifer born 24/08/2018 and weighing 435kg sold for €950 (€2.18/kg).

Good R and U grading 2018-born bullocks and heifers weighing 420kg to 500kg ranged from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg on average, with some excellent-quality lots exceeding this. Plainer-quality and aged cattle remain a challenging trade, with prices for cattle that will struggle to grade or kill under 30 months falling back to €1.65/kg to €1.75/kg.

This 435kg Limousin heifer born June 2018 sold for €870 (€2.00/kg).

The cow trade is steady, with Marian reporting more bite for good-quality continental cows. Heavy R and U- grading cows sold from €1.35/kg to €1.70/kg with beef-bred cows lacking flesh selling back to €1.00/kg to €1.10/kg. There is a wide differential in Friesian cow prices, with average fleshed lots selling from €0.90/kg to €1.05/kg while small numbers of very poor-quality cows are selling back to €0.60/kg.

This 495kg Aberdeen Angus cross heifer born 18/12/2017 sold for €810 (€1.64/kg).

The Limousin society is holding a sale of pedigree bulls and heifers on Friday 29 November at 6pm. Commission rates are €2% to the seller and €10 to the buyer.

This top-quality Limousin cross cow weighing 785kg and born 14/12/2013 sold for €1,330 (€1.69/kg).

This 685kg Friesian cow born 29/03/2011 sold for €780 (€1.13/kg).

This nice-quality 410kg Charolais cross heifer born 29/07/2018 sold for €950 (€2.22/kg).

This 490kg Limousin cross heifer born 29.06/2018 sold for €940 (€1.91/kg).

This 455kg four-star Limousin heifer born 23/04/2018 sold for €970 (2.13/kg).