There were packed ringsides on Thursday at Ennis Mart for the annual cattle show and sale.

And there was lots on offer for all buyers present, with over 1,000 cattle entered on the day. An overall clearance rate of 98% was achieved.

This Limousin-cross bullock, born October 2017 and weighing 570kg sold for €1,230 (€2.16/kg).

Speaking to mart manager Martin McNamara after the sale, he said that “trade could only be described as very good”. While there wasn’t an awful lot of finished cattle on offer, over three-quarters of them would be described as short-keep cattle.

This Charolais-cross bullock, born August 2017 and weighing 685kg solf for €1,465 (€2.14/kg).

Looking across the rings, McNamara said: “Bullocks were a very good trade, but, at the same time, no better than last week, while heifers were a shade stronger.” The real noteworthy activity was in the cow ring, with the good beef cull cows “a massive trade”.

This pair of Limousin-cross bullocks, born April 2018 and averaging 603kg sold for €1,355 (€2.25/kg).

Looking at MartBids analysis, it was a day for heavy bullocks. Those weighing over 600kg were up over 5c/kg for the week to an average of €2.12/kg. Top-quality continentals at this weight were consistently making over €2.20, rising to a top price of €2.46/kg.

This Charolais-cross bullock, born January 2018 and weighing 705kg sold for €1,600 (€2.27/kg).

Sliding back the weights, 500kg to 600kg bullocks averaged €2.22/kg – no change from last week. The best quality made in excess of €2.30/kg, with a top call of €2.60/kg for a 550kg Charlolais-cross (€1,430).

This Limousin-cross bullock, born July 2017 and weighing 625kg sold for €1,275 (€2.04/kg).

Lighter stores were less popular than the week before, but still came into a more-than-healthy average of €2.23/kg.

Dry cows were notably strong, with the entire selection of 280 cows averaging €1.60/kg. Generally speaking, Friesian cows ranged from €0.90/kg to €1.30/kg, with a few higher-grading and better-fleshed Friesians drifting up to €1.45/kg.

This Limousin-cross bullock, born January 2019 and weighing 565kg sold for €1,280 (€2.27/kg).

Continentals started at the €1.40/kg mark for plainer types and ran up to a high of €2.30/kg for U grading short-keep cows. The good R grading continental cow would comfortably make over €1.60/kg.

This Limousin-cross heifer, born April 2018 and weighing 490kg sold for €1,090 (€2.22/kg).

Heifers weighing over 600kg averaged €2.31/kg, with exceptional-quality heifers –including prizewinners - making 40c/kg to 60c/kg above the average.

This Limousin-cross cow, born December 2016 and weighing 670kg sold for €1,490 (€2.22/kg).

Those from 400kg to 500kg and from 500kg to 600kg averaged €2.19/kg and €2.23/kg respectively. The show featured seven classes in total - three for bullocks, two for heifers and two for dry cows. Commission rates are €9.48 to the buyer, with the seller subject to a €2 booking fee plus 1.5% commission to a maximum of €12.

This Limousin-cross cow, born January 2017 and weighing 625kg sold for €1,140 (€1.82/kg).

This Friesian cow, born November 2011 and weighing 740kg sold for €920 (€1.24/kg).

This Hereford-cross cow, born March 2007 and weighing 855kg sold for €1,360 (€1.59/kg).