Despite heavy rain and wetter ground conditions, the trade at Saturday’s sale at Balla Mart was surprisingly strong, particularly for heifers and weanlings.

Weanling bulls were met with improved demand from farmers and agents who were actively trying to source numbers before the normal spring price surge.

Heavy bulls over 400kg were a slightly improved trade for all good-quality types. The majority of these sold from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg.

This Limousin cross bull, born June 2018 and weighing 280kg sold, for €705 (€2.52/kg).

Lighter bulls from 300kg to 400kg were met with strong farmer demand also, with the majority looking to source good Limousin and Charolais types. Prices of these ranged mainly from €800 to €900, with some better quality types rising higher than this.

Light bulls

Light bulls were available in good numbers and were a strong trade. The majority of those were over 260kg and sold mainly from €650 to €750/head.

This Charolais cross bull, born June 2018 and weighing 390kg, sold for €910 (€2.33/kg).

The bullock trade was reasonably steady. The number of heavy types over 600kg was small, but those over 500kg sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg, with top-quality types making over €2.25/kg.

Store bullocks from 400kg to 500kg were a good trade with farmer buyers a little more active for these. Prices ranged mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg with better quality types selling for over €2.40/kg.

Heifers

The heifer trade was stronger than previous weeks, with a good bit more bite in the trade for all lighter types. Light heifer weanlings under 300kg sold mainly from €650 to €750, with a good lift in prices seen for plainer quality continentals and in particular Angus heifers.

This Charolais cross heifer, born February 2018 and weighing 315kg, sold for €850 (€2.70/kg).

Heavier heifers over 300kg sold mainly from €800 to €900 where the quality on offer was good, with some top-quality types making over the €900 mark.

Store heifers from 400kg to 500kg were a good trade also as farmers seem to be sourcing cattle earlier than usual. Prices ranged mainly from €950 to €1,150.

Heifers over 500kg were a steady trade, with current beef prices definitely having an effect on prices. Hereford and Angus heifers sold from €1,000 to €1,120 with better quality continentals making up to €1,400 at times.

Cows

The cow trade is holding steady, with very few cows making over the €1.85/kg mark. On occasion, cow heifers were beating this. One of the heaviest cows of the day was a 960kg Charolais which sold for €1,775. The majority of feeding cows carrying flesh sold from €950 to €1,100.

This Charolais cross heifer, born August 2018 and weighing 345kg, sold for €900 (€2.61/kg).

This Angus cross heifer, born May 2017 and weighing 585kg, sold for €1,110 (€1.90/kg).

This Hereford cross heifer, born May 2017 and weighing 510kg, sold for €1,020 (€2.00/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer, born March 2018 and weighing 285kg, sold for €750 (€2.63/kg).

This Charolais cross cow, born 2013 and weighing 695kg, sold for €1,015 (€1.46/kg).

This Limousin cross cow, born January 2012 and weighing 670kg sold for €950 (€1.42/kg).

This Charolais cow, born 2015 and weighing 960kg, sold for €1,775 (€1.85/kg).

This Charolais cross bull, born April 2018 and weighing 360kg, sold for €985 (€2.74/kg).

This Simmental cross bull, born January 2018 and weighing 400kg, sold for €870 (€2.18/kg).

This Charolais cross bull, born January 2018 and weighing 430kg, sold for €960 (€2.23/kg).