Saturday's sale at Dowra Mart saw a large entry of cattle and sheep on offer. With larger numbers, the two rings were in full flight for most of the day.

Despite heavy rain across much of the west in the last two weeks, demand was strong for all types.

The cow sale was quite good for warm cows carrying some flesh. At the upper end of the trade, top-quality heavy continental cows made over €600 along with the weight. However, the majority of feeding cows from 600kg to 700kg sold from €350 to €420 along with the weight.

Older and plainer cows sold from €250 over the weight and higher, but some poor-quality cows struggled to make €100 over the weight.

Bullocks

There was strong demand for all types of bullocks, even plainer lots. Angus bullocks over 480kg sold for around the €2.00/kg mark or slightly under it depending on quality, with Herefords and plain continentals a similar trade.

Better-quality heavier continentals were met with strong demand and prices ranged mainly from €700 to €800 along with the weight at for better-quality types.

Slightly plainer types sold from €600 over the weight and upwards.

Lighter bullocks from 400kg to 500kg were a good trade with plenty of buyers present for these.

Plainer cattle at lighter weights were met with the weakest demand but there were buyers for everything.

Heifers

The heifer trade was brisk for all types over 500kg, with 600kg plus heifers making €1,200 to €1,300 with ease where the quality was good. Those under 500kg sold mainly form €1,100 to €1,250/head.

Herefords from 400kg to 450kg sold mainly from €1.85/kg to €2.00/kg with quality having an impact on prices.

There was a share of plainer heifers from 400kg to 450kg on offer which sold from €1,000 to €1,150. Weanling heifers from 300kg to 400kg sold from €750 to €850 and up to €900 at times.