Four-hundred animals went under the hammer at Friday’s sale in Roscrea Mart, and had a total clearance rate of 92% across all categories.

There was a boost in demand across all weight groups for heifers compared to the previous week – despite the pressure on beef price, grass buyers are keeping a good floor under the trade for store cattle.

Heifers weighing between 350kg and 400kg saw a lift of 10c/kg for the bottom third of cattle up to a rise of 26c/kg for the top third.

Heifers in the 400kg-to-500kg category experienced a significant jump in numbers on the previous week.

The high number of entries was reflected in the demand, with top third of heifers selling for €4.49/kg – a lift of 72c/kg on the previous week, the average third saw a lift of 46c/kg selling for an average of €4.07/kg with the bottom third selling for €3.56/kg seeing the lowest lift of just 9c/kg.

Heavier heifers also saw a rise in price, but not to the same extent as the lighter heifers.

The top third of heifers saw a jump of 31c/kg to sell at €4.16/kg with the bottom third of heifers selling for €3.41/kg – a rise of 26c/kg on the previous week.

Over 600kg

More beef-type heifers weighing over 600kg saw the lowest rise in price, however, they experienced an improved trade. The top third of heifers saw a lift of 20c/kg, selling at an average of €3.90/kg.

There was a 10c/lg increase in the trade of the bottom two thirds, which sold to €3.64/kg. The middle third and the bottom third of heifers weighing over 600kg selling for an average of €3.44/kg.

Bullocks

There was also a strong improvement in the bullock trade across a number of weight categories.

A polar opposite to the heifer ring, the lightest bullocks saw a drop across the board. However, heavier bullocks weighing over 400kg were highly sought-after.

Bullocks weighing from 350kg to 400kg saw a jump of over 50 cattle on the previous week, but a drop in demand was noted with between a 18c/kg to 40c/kg decrease in price. The top third of these bullocks sold for €4.30/kg, 20c/kg behind the heifer equivalent.

There was a brisker trade for bullocks weighing from 400kg to 500kg, with the top third of these seeing a jump of 14c/kg, selling at an average of €4.47/kg. While there were fewer bullocks weighing from 500kg to 600kg on offer this week, the drop in numbers left opportunity for a rise across the board of 10c/kg. The top third of bullocks sold for €4.18/kg followed by the middle third fetching an average of €3.78/kg.

The heaviest group of bullocks on offer achieved the biggest jump in price with bullocks weighing over 600kg seeing a rise of 23c/kg.

The biggest rise was noted in the bottom third of bullocks weighing over 600kg selling for €3.26/kg a rise of 32c/kg on last week.

Watch

These four Angus-cross heifers weighing 357kg and born February 2025 sold for €1,320 (€3.70/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer weighing 350kg and born 10 April 2025 sold for €1,460 (€4.29/kg).

These three Limousin-cross heifers born March 2025 and weighing 435kg sold for €1,980 (€4.55/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer weighing 420kg and born 5 March 2025 sold for €1,980 (€4.71/kg).

This pair of Limousin-cross heifers weighing 412kg and born February 2025 sold for €1,910 (€4.64/kg).

These Charolais-cross heifers weighing 403kg and born April 2025 sold for €1,740 (€4.32/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullocks weighing 345kg and born 25 February 2025 sold for €1,610 (€4.67/kg).

This Angus-cross bullock weighing 420kg and born April 2025 sold for €2,120 (€5.05/kg).

These Angus-cross bullocks weighing 506kg and born March 2024 sold for €1,900 (€3.75/kg).

These four Hereford-cross bullocks weighing 435kg and born February 2025 sold for €1,700 (€3.91/kg).

This Limousin-cross bullock weighing 480kg and born 22 April 2024 sold for €1,920 (€4.00/kg).

This Belgian-blue-cross bullocks weighing 635kg and born 17 April 2024 sold for €2,650 (€4.16/kg).

This Belgian-blue-cross bullock weighing 445kg and born 28 April 2025 sold for €2,300 (€5.17/kg).