Last Saturday saw a special Christmas cracker sale take place at Headford Mart, which was the last sale of the year.

This pair of Charolais cross heifers, born April 2017 and weighing 512kg on average sold for €1,210 (€2.36/kg).

Top-quality heavy bullocks were a strong trade and sold to a top of €865 along with the weight, while other top-quality heavy bullocks over 600kg sold from €680 to €775 along with the weight.

This Limousin cross cow, born January 2016 with a June born heifer calf at foot sold for €1,250.

While overage cattle have taken a hit in the last few weeks, once they were well-fleshed, demand was strong for them at Saturday’s sale.

This Belgian Blue cross bull, born April 2018 and weighing 365kg was bid to €840 but not sold (€2.30/kg).

The average 500kg to 600kg bullock sold mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.20/kg. Stores from 400kg to 500kg were plentiful and average-quality types sold mainly from €1,000/head to €1,150, with top-quality bullocks going over the €1,200 mark.

This Charolais cross bull, born March 2018 and weighing 400kg was bid to €860 but not sold (€2.15/kg).

There were some plainer types on offer also and these saw prices range mainly from €800 to €950/head.

Heavy heifers were not that common, but where top-quality show-winners were on offer, prices topped out at €1,400 for 645kg or €2.18/kg.

Other good-quality heavy heifers sold from €1,200 upwards. Heifers from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €1,000 to €1,200/head.

This Limousin cross bull, born February 2018 and weighing 375kg was bid to €910 but not sold (€2.43/kg).

Lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg were the most common on the day and sold mainly from €800 to €1,000, depending on quality.

The plainer-quality light stores were harder sold than the equivalent bullock, but there were buyers present for every type.

Commission rates are €10 to the buyer and 2% to the seller.