Camera at the mart attended the weekly cattle sale at Markethill Livestock Mart on Saturday last, with an increased entry of 650 animals forwarded.
Mart manager Hampton Hewitt commented on the sale, saying that the live trade is currently benefitting from increased buying competition among beef finishers, which is being reflected in improving prices week on week.
He added that Saturday was one of the best sales so far this year in terms of cattle quality and the prices paid.
An entry of 180 beef heifers were an electric trade. Good-quality lots sold from 195p to 235p/kg, with a 526kg Charolais animal making £1,235.
Prices reached a peak of £1,485 for a 722kg Charolais animal, with other stand-out prices of £1,395 for a 624kg Charolais animal and £1,335 for a 620kg animal.
Heifers weighing 505kg to 545kg sold from £1,115 to £1,235, with animals weighing 550kg to 600kg making £1,225 to £1,295 at the upper end of the market.
Mid-weight heifers sold from 200p to 244p/kg, with a 354kg Limousin animal making £865. Stand-out prices saw a 486kg animal making £1,085, with continental-type heifers weighing close to 500kg selling to £1,100 on several occasions.
A big entry of bullocks saw heavy types making 195p to 220p/kg, with a 506kg Charolais animal making £1,115, followed by a 522kg Limousin animal making £1,145.
Bullocks sold to a top price of £1,445 for a 700kg Limousin animal, with £1,265 to £1,395 the main price range for animals weighing over 600kg.
Mid-weight bullocks sold from 210p to 232p/kg with a 412kg animal making £955, while a 490kg animal made £1,085. Friesian types sold from 135p to 145p/kg for heavy fleshed lots, with a 678kg selling to £985.
Weanlings are also an improving trade, with bullocks making 240p to 295p/kg for a 244kg Limousin which sold to £720.
Stronger lots made 200p to 240p/kg, with a 416kg Charolais making £1,000, while a 485kg animal made £1,145.
Heifers sold from 230p to 292p/kg, with a 288kg Charolais weanling making £840. Heavier lots over 300kg sold from £800 to £920.
Suckler outfits sold to £1,850 for a Limousin cow with bull calf at foot, followed by £1,500 for a Blue cow and heifer calf.
