There were 170 bulls on offer at the weanling show and sale in Skibbereen on Friday last and, yet again, shippers made their impact at the ringside.

They accounted for two-thirds of the weanling bulls on offer in a sale that could be described as very hot.

While back on the extremely high prices of last year, there was still close to 50 bulls that sold for in excess of €2,000.

Those weighing from 300kg to 400kg were the most numerous and they averaged €4.89/kg, with the top third of those selling for an average price of €5.51/kg.

Charolais- and Limousin-crosses were the most popular sellers, with well-conformed U grading calves, especially those from 330kg to 360kg, fetching a premium.

There was a respectable average of €4.20/kg paid for the bottom third of bulls in that weight range, showing there is good appetite on the home market.

Solid demand

While not on exporters' radars as much, almost 30% of bulls weighed from 400kg to 500kg and demand was solid for them.

They averaged €4.63/kg and they mirrored the lighter bull trade, with the top end of well-muscled bulls averaging €5.35/kg.

There was a smaller selection of about 50 heifers. Those weighing up to 400kg averaged €4.57/kg.

Following the sale, manager Keith Mullaney said: “It was a great sale and it gave people a bit of courage going back, as people are after a tough month with the drought and it was great to get weanlings over the line with great prices.

"There was top-quality stock on offer and we had an increase on this time last year - there was definitely 50 to 70 more weanlings this year. There would be concerns regarding grass around here, so that probably helped.”

While numbers were up, prices were back on 2025, but still motored along at a good pace.

“If you had the 350 to 400kg, a lot of the choice lots that weight were hitting €6/kg. Anything over 450kg, the exporters weren’t that anxious for them," said Keith.

"The 450kg to 480kg calf, you were talking up to €4.20/kg to €4.50/kg if you had them good enough. Those super Limousin calves around 400kg were making €2,300 to €2,400 all day long.”

With good demand from shippers, he advised farmers to consider selling at a lighter weight as there is extra demand for those bulls.

“Between them all, the exporters had over 100 bulls out of the sale today. I suppose they’re watching age and weight, but they were very anxious for weanlings today.

"The good 360kg to 370kg bull here was making the same as a 460kg bull and that’s the weight they seem to want at the minute for the big shipments.”