Last Monday’s sale at Kilmallock Mart saw a large entry of over 1,100 head on offer. Denis Kirby of Kilmallock Mart said that the trade was fairly steady compared with previous weeks and there was a high clearance rate.

This Hereford heifer, weighing 498kg, born March 2018, sold for €855 (€1.71/kg).

The main buyers were farmers, exporters and feeders. Good-quality continentals were the strongest trade and were selling from €2.10/kg to €2.17/kg at the top of the market.

This Charolais cross bullock, weighing 570kg, born Feb 2018, sold for €950 (€1.66/kg).

Angus store bullocks sold mainly from €1.75/kg to €1.90/kg, with some choice lots making up to €2.00/kg. Friesian bullocks were a variable trade, with quality determining prices. They sold mainly from €1.20/kg to €1.50/kg.

This Limousin cross bullock, weighing 455kg, born March 2018, sold for €880 (€1.93/kg).

The store heifer trade was a little stronger than bullocks, with continentals selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.15/kg, with Angus and Hereford selling from €1.70/kg to €1.90/kg.

This Angus cross bullock, weighing 580kg, born Feb 2018, sold for €885 (€1.52/kg).

Denis said that Tuesday evening’s weanling sale, with 350 on offer, saw firm demand for all classes of weanlings, with bulls selling mainly from €2.20/kg to a top of €2.70/kg.

This Charolais cross bullock, weighing 570kg, born June 2018, sold for €1010 (€1.77/kg).

Weanling heifers were reasonably steady as well selling at similar to slightly less than the equivalent bull. Heifers from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.70/kg. Angus types made from €1.60/kg to €2.00/kg.

Commission rates go from €3 for calves to 1.4% for adult cattle to the seller, with no entry fee, and €9.30/head upwards to the buyer.