Camera at the Mart attended the weekly cattle sale in Clogher Mart on Saturday last. With no major change to beef prices in recent weeks and more changeable weather, there was a much steadier trade compared with previous weeks.
Buyers were most competitive on heavy fleshed cattle suited to killing within 30 to 40 days from purchase, while lighter stores were an easier trade, as wet weather has made grazing conditions much more difficult to manage over the past week.
Mart manager Harrison Boyd commented on the sale, saying that prices for good-quality stores are holding firm in light of Brexit uncertainty and lower beef prices.
Bullocks were in demand and reached a peak of £1,475 for an 800kg Blonde d’Aquitaine animal, followed by £1,445 for a 780kg Charolais, with a 760kg Charolais making £1,405.
The main price range for heavy-fleshed slaughter cattle ran from £1,320 for a 660kg Limousin rising to £1,355 for another Limousin weighing 740kg. Angus-bred bullocks were an easy sell, with prices reaching £1,305 for a 730kg animal.
Mid-weight stores sold from £900 for a 490kg Angus bullock, rising to £1,030 for a 490kg Charolais. Other noted lots saw a 430kg Limousin make £1,005, with a 500kg Angus making £980 and a 470kg Simmental making £910.
A smaller entry of forward heifers led to increased bidding competition. Prices peaked at £1,200 for a 600kg Blonde d’Aquitaine followed by £1,130 paid on a 580kg animal of the same breed, with others making £1,050 to £1,110.
Angus heifers sold to £1,130 for a 620kg animal, with Limousin lots selling to £1,080 for a 580kg heifer.
Charolais heifers sold to £1,125 for a 620kg animal. Mid-weight heifers sold from £805 for a 460kg Limousin to £1,020 for a 450kg Charolais.
Weanlings sold to £970 for a 420kg Charolais steer, with a 390kg animal making £950. Prices for good-quality male weanlings typically made £860 to £900, with heifers selling from £735 to £935 for a 380kg Charolais.
Suckler outfits sold to £2,060 for a first-calved heifer and heifer calf at foot, with second-calving cows making £1,550. Prices generally ranged from £1,070 to £1,500. Fat cows sold to £1,713 for an 820kg Belgian Blue.