Friday night’s weanling sale in Headford Mart saw a price increase of 25c/kg on the week prior, with an average of €6.05/kg across bulls and heifers. This placed a 350kg bull weanling at €2,117.50/head.

While numbers were back on the previous week, all averages were up, with weanlings in the top third seeing a 6c/kg lift, while the bottom third saw a rise of 50c/kg.

The majority of weanlings were in the 320kg to 360kg bracket. Plainer-type bulls sold in the main from €5.60/kg to €6/kg, with farmer buyers active for these, while farmers also competed for better-type bulls against export buyers, with these lots selling to beyond €7/kg.

Top end

The majority of these top-end bulls crossed €6.80/kg, rising to a high of €8.26/kg for a six-month-old Charolais-cross bull weighing 300kg that sold for €2,520.

Heifers were most sought after by farmers for breeding and finishing, with quality heifers available for both. Several sellers also announced calves to be vaccinated and eating meal.

While the higher prices of the night were generally for export-quality bulls, several quality heifers sold for €6.40/kg and above. Top price in the heifer ring went to a 350kg Limousin-cross that sold for €2,520 (€7.20/kg).