Elphin Mart had two rings in action on Monday night as the unseasonably high numbers of cattle continue to flow after COVID-19 restrictions curtailed sales throughout April and May.

Prices remained solid again this week, both in the cow ring and for bullocks and heifers. There were over 300 cattle in the sale in total, with a large entry of top-quality suckler-bred stock on show.

Strong prices

Factory agents remained active for fleshed cattle, while northern buyers were also helping to keep prices strong, with a number of online bidders and buyers active from all corners of the country.

Auctioneer Gerry Campbell, who was selling cows and weanlings, said it is a long time since he saw so many cows head north and that it is not just fleshed cattle, there are also short-keep cattle heading north in significant numbers, which is really underpinning trade around the ring in the west and border counties at the moment.

In pictures

This July 2018-born Charolais heifer weighed 620kg and sold for €1,580 (€2.55/kg).

This 630kg January 2018-born Charolais heifer sold for €1,560 (€2.48/kg).

This April 2018-born Belgian Blue heifer weighed 570kg and sold for €1,150 (€2.02/kg).

This June 2018 Charolais heifer weighed 665kg and sold for €1,450 (€2.18/kg).

This October 2018-born Angus heifer weighed 580kg and sold for €1,100 (1.90/kg).

This March 2018-born Charolais heifer weighed 535kg and sold for €1,280 (€2.39/kg).

This March 2018-born Charolais bullock weighed 625kg and sold for €1,610 (€2.58/kg).

This July 2017 Charolais bullock weighed 935kg and sold for €2,070 (€2.21/kg).

This 2015-born Belgian Blue cow weighed 700kg and sold for €1,540 (€2.20/kg).

This 2011 born Charolais cow weighed 745kg and sold for €1,480 (€1.99/kg).

This 2015-born Charolais cow with May-born heifer calf at foot sold for €2,500.