Tuesday’s sale at Nenagh Mart saw a seasonally small entry of stock on offer. Mart manager Michael Harty said that, at this stage of the year, throughput at the mart is at the lowest point.

The trade was reasonably steady, but light plain cattle were a little bit easier. Michael said that the current weather conditions are having an effect on the trade, with slightly less buyer activity at the mart.

A high proportion of the cattle on offer were dairy-crosses, but where continentals were on offer, the trade was quite strong.

This Limousin dry cow, born 2014 and weighing 665kg sold for €1,100 (€1.65/kg).

These three Angus heifers, born March 2017 and weighing 331kg on average sold for €585 each (€1.77/kg).

This pair of Hereford heifers,born March 2017 and weighing 320kg sold for €540 each (€1.69/kg).

This Friesian cross heifer, born March 2017 and weighing 260kg sold for €405 (€1.56/kg).

This pair of Angus heifers, born April 2017 and weighing 395kg on average sold for €650 each (€1.65/kg).

The cow trade saw a low entry, but prices ranged from tops of €1,100 to €1,145 or €400 to €435 over for continental cull cows carrying some flesh. Friesian cull cows sold mainly from the weight to €1.10/kg for those straight from the parlour.

This Angus bull calf born May 2018 sold for €140.

These four Friesian bullocks, born May 2016 and weighing 528kg on average, sold for €885 each (€1.68/kg).

This Friesian bullock, born March 2017 and weighing 505kg, sold for €900 (€1.78/kg).

This pair of Limousin bulls, born November 2017 and weighing 290kg on average, sold for €700 each (€2.42/kg).

These three Angus bullocks, born March 2017 and weighing 360kg on average, sold for €710 each (€1.97/kg).

This Hereford bullock, born March 2017 and weighing 235kg sold for €515 (€2.19/kg).

This Belgian Blue bullock, born June 201 and weighing 580kg sold for €1,135 (€1.97/kg).

These six Angus bullocks and born February 2017 and weighing 321kg on average sold for €565 each (€1.76/kg).

Michael added that Friday’s sale in Roscrea saw a better entry of feeding Friesians, which sold mainly from €1.20/kg to €1.60/kg.

Heavy bullocks over 500kg sold mainly from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg for Friesians, while a plain Limousin sold to €1.95/kg or €560 over the weight.

Quality was the main driver of prices, with a group of three good-quality Friesian bullocks selling for up to €1.81/kg for 580kg. Lighter bullocks from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €1.55/kg to €1.60/kg for Friesians. There was a good entry of Angus- and Hereford-cross year-olds on offer. Demand was quite good for these, with the majority of sellers having to offload due to tight grass supplies.

Those from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €300 to €350 along with the weight for better-quality bulls and heifers.

Roscrea sale

Michael said that Roscrea’s sheep sale saw a good trade for butchers’ lambs, with heavy types over 50kg selling from €120 to €135/head, while factory lambs sold mainly from €90 to €128, depending on weight and cover.

Friday’s cattle sale at Roscrea saw over 200 head on offer. Continental types over 500kg sold from €2.25/kg to €2.47/kg, while heifers made from €2.20/kg to €2.39/kg for continentals.

Continental stores sold mainly from €2.35/kg to €2.50/kg for heifers while bullocks from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.66/kg.

Commission rates are €9 to the buyer and €10 to €15 to the seller.

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