Monday’s general cattle sale at Mid-Tipp Mart in Thurles saw a good entry of close to 350 cattle on offer, which was good for the time of year.

Mart manager Martin Ryan said the trade has improved in recent weeks, with farmers a lot more active for all types of stores, but lighter weanlings were not quite as sharp a trade as the previous week.

These Limousin bullocks, born April 2018, weighing 505kg, sold for €1,100 (€2.17/kg).

Bullocks over 600kg were a slightly stronger trade than the previous week, but only a few cattle passed the €2.00/kg mark. The best demand was for good-quality continentals, Charolais and Limousin.

This Jersey-cross bullock, born March 2018, weighing 535kg, sold for €800 (€1.49/kg).

These sold for over the €2.00/kg mark and up to €2.13/kg at the top of the market. Martin said there has been a good increase in the prices paid for Angus and Hereford cattle, with some good-quality R grade types making over €1.90/kg.

This Simmental heifer, born April 2017, weighing 690kg, sold for €1,265 (€1.83/kg).

The main demand for these was from farmers and some feedlots. However, feedlot buyers were priced out of the market by farmers at times.

This Angus heifer, born May 2017, weighing 690kg, sold for €1,270 (€1.84/kg).

Friesian bullocks over 550kg were relatively low in numbers but sold mainly from €1.50/kg to €1.78/kg for a group of good-quality spring 2018-born bullocks.

This Friesian bullock, born February 2018, weighing 525kg, sold for €845 (€1.60/kg).

Friesian bullocks from 500kg to 550kg sold mainly from €1.50/kg to €1.80/kg.

Continental types sold for over €2.10/kg. Again, good-quality Herefords over 500kg were a well improved trade, selling for up to €2.00/kg.

These Hereford males, born April 2018, weighing 477kg, sold for €950 (€1.99/kg).

Most bullocks from 400kg to 500kg were Angus, and these were a strong trade, selling on average for just over €1.90/kg. The number of Herefords on offer in that weight range was lower and prices averaged €1.99/kg, well up on previous weeks.

This pen of Angus bullocks, born March 2018, weighing 477kg, sold for €920 (€1.92/kg).

Friesians sold from €1.50/kg to €1.80/kg. Continentals sold from €2.00/kg to €2.25/kg.

Heifers were not as plentiful as bullocks but were a good trade.

This Saler-cross bullock, born August 2018, weighing 455kg, sold for €945 (€2.07/kg).

Types over 600kg sold from €1,155 to a top of €1,275 or €1.89/kg for a 675kg Angus. Heifers from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €2.04/kg to €2.13/kg for continentals while Friesians made from €1.30/kg to €1.50/kg.

This Limousin-cross bullock, born May 2018, weighing 515kg, sold for €1,150 (€2.23/kg).

The largest number of heifers on offer were from 400kg to 500kg and these were an improved trade. Continentals sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg with Angus and Herefords selling mainly from €1.80/kg to €1.94/kg.

This Charolais bullock, born April 2018, weighing 592kg, sold for €1,260 (€2.12/kg).

Martin said calves under 400kg were not as brisk as the week before. Bullocks were a mixed trade but were met with high clearance rates while weanling bulls sold mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.35/kg. Commission rates are €7 to €8 for cattle to the buyer and seller, with lower rates for multiple entries.

This Limousin bullock, born April 2018, weighing 600kg, sold for €1,235 (€2.05/kg).