Quality R-grading and U-grading calves were plentiful at Tuam mart’s weanling show and sale on Monday night last, where it was the turn of Limousin and Belgian Blues, following on from the Charolais and Simmental show and sale the week prior.

Exporters and feed lot agents were present around the ring on the night,with farmers battling hard to secure numbers, though calves present were suited to all buyer demands.

In the heifers, quality types especially suited to breeding commanded the top prices. Colour did not have a major effect on price due to the majority of heifers on offer being red or golden coloured Limousin, with the majority of heifers weighing between 270kg and 340kg. Heifers 200-300kg averaged €5.57kg, with the top end of heifers achieving over €6/kg, rising to highs of €6.69/kg for 275kg Limousin-cross heifer which sold for €1,840.

The majority of heifers sold were in the 300-400kg bracket and born in February and March.

These heifers averaged €5.20/kg, and while the average was back 27c/kg on the show and sale the week before, the top third of heifers in this bracket sold for €6.19/kg, up 18c/kg on last week’s sale.

A small number of stronger, plainer heifers over 400kg saw an average of €4,44/kg being paid on the night.

Bulls

In the bulls, feedlot buyers were more prevalent, but again farmer activity was strong. A small portion of export quality bulls met with keen demand, though the majority of bulls were medium U-grading to high R-grading types.

A small selection of light bulls on offer weighing less than 300kg sold to an average of €5.62/kg.

The majority of bulls were again in the 300-400kg bracket and averaged €5.69/kg, up 2c/kg on the week previous.

The top third of bulls in this weight class sold for €6.19/kg on average, down 2c/kg on the week prior, with the bottom third averaging €5.10/kg, up 8c/kg on the week prior.

Heavy bulls above 400kg were small in numbers and averaged €5.17/kg.