There was a very large entry of stock on offer on Saturday at Balla Mart, with worsening and wet weather forcing more sellers out to the ringside. While numbers are up, so too was demand, with stronger farmer buyer activity at the ringside.

The heifer ring saw a lively trade, with prices of good-quality heifers noticeably stronger. There was more buyer activity for heifers with breeding potential also.

Those with breeding potential were a strong trade, with many better-quality lots over 450kg making around €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg and a little more at times.

This Charolais cross heifer, born May 2016 and weighing 620kg, sold for €1,420 (€2.29/kg).

Heavy heifers over 600kg were a little more common than previous weeks and these were a flying trade. They sold mainly from €1,300 to over €1,450/head. Store R+ and U grade heifers from 500kg to 600kg were a strong trade also and sold mainly from €1,150 to €1,250 with a little more buyer activity this week.

Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg were a little stronger also, with more farmers actively buying. These sold mainly from €900 to €1,100 depending on quality. Where lighter weanling heifers were on offer, prices of €700 to €850 were common.

The bullock trade overall was strong, but some were a little easier than previous weeks with increased numbers on offer. At the top of the trade, top quality in-spec bullocks over 600kg sold mainly from €800 to €900 along with the weight for better quality types.

This Charolais cross bullock, born October 2016 and weighing 610kg, sold for €1,200 (€1.97/kg).

The majority of good R+ and U grade heavy bullocks sold from €750 to €850 along with the weight, maybe a little easier than previous weeks. Lighter forward store bullocks from 500kg to 600kg were a similar trade to last week with good feeder and farmer demand for them. They sold mainly from €1,000 to €1,250/head for average quality types.

Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg were a steady trade on last week driven by firm farmer and agent demand. They are selling mainly from €700 to €800 along with the weight. However, quality is key to getting the higher prices on offer. Over age bullocks continue to be met with mixed demand, while some plainer quality stores are still slower to sell.

This Charolais cross heifer, born June 2016 and weighing 590kg, sold for €1,340 (€2.27/kg).

This Angus cross heifer, born May 2016 and weighing 525kg, sold for €1,140 (€2.17/kg).

This Saler cross fove star heifer, born January 2017 and weighing 480kg, sold for €1,260 (€2.63/kg).

This Limousin cross heifer, born April 2017 and weighing 425kg, sold for €1,250 (€2.94/kg).

This Limousin cross heifer, born October 2016 and weighing 520kg, sold for €1,150 (€2.21/kg).

This Charolais cross bullock, born October 2016 and weighing 475kg, sold for €840 (€1.77/kg).

This Limousin cross bullock, born August 2017 and weighing 415kg, sold for €790 (€1.90/kg).

This Charolais cross bull, born April 2017 and weighing 360kg, sold for €750 (€2.08/kg).

This Charolais cross bullock, born April 2017 and weighing 495kg, sold for €1,265 (€2.56/kg).