Castlerea Mart manager Brendan Egan reported on a positive trade following Thursday’s sale of weanlings, heifers, dry cows and sucklers.
Brendan commented that prices paid for quality cattle held extremely well, while plainer-type stock tended to be a slightly easier trade.
Numbers are currently at peak, with over 1,500 head traded across the marts main sale on Thursday, its bullock sale on Monday and seasonal weanling sale on Saturday.
Over 150 heifers weighing 400kg to 500kg sold averaged €3.67/kg, with the top third selling for €4.30/kg and the bottom third for €3.28/kg.
Traditional breeds sold in the region of €3/kg to €3.50/kg, while at the other end of the quality spectrum top-quality Charolais-cross and Limousin-cross heifers sold from €4.20/kg to €4.50/kg.
Heavier heifers weighing 500kg to 600kg were keenly sought after, with the average price at €3.74/kg, with the top third at €4.30/kg and the bottom third at €3.28/kg.
Weanling heifers entered in Thursday’s sale were a sharp trade, with the average price recorded at €5.03/kg for lots weighing 300kg to 400kg.
The top third of heifers averaged €5.81/kg, with the best-quality types hitting €6/kg.
Dry cows were steady, with good-quality continental cows selling from €3.30/kg to a top of €4/kg for young, U grading-type cows. The bottom third of cows traded on average for €2.77/kg.
This Charolais-cross heifer weighing 425kg and born 23/5/25 sold for €1,830 (€4.31/kg).
This lighter Charolais-cross heifer weighing 240kg and born 16/03/2026 sold for €1,200 (€5/kg).
This Charolais-cross heifer weighing 425kg and born 13/04/25 sold for €1,790 (€4.21/kg).
Weighing 410kg, this Hereford-cross heifer born 21/04/2025 sold for €1,430 (€3.49/kg).
This Hereford-cross heifer weighing 430kg and born 19/03/2025 sold for €1,320 (€3.07/kg).
This Charolais-cross heifer weighing 650kg and born 16/04/2024 sold for €2,640 (€4.06/kg).
Weighing 400kg, this Aberdeen Angus-cross heifer born 14/02/2025 sold for €1,260 (€3.15/kg).
This Charolais-cross heifer weighing 235kg and born 22/03/2026 sold for €1,240 (€5.28/kg).
This Charolais-cross heifer weighing 470kg and born 28/02/2025 sold for €2,060 (€4.38/kg).
Weighing 335kg, this Limousin-cross heifer born 27/03/2026 sold for €1,700 (€5.07/kg).
This Limousin-cross heifer weighing 255kg and born 12/04/2026 sold for €1,200 (€4.71/kg).
This good-quality Charolais-cross heifer weighing 445kg and born 10/03/2025 sold for €2,240 (€5.03/kg).
This nice-quality Limousin-cross heifer weighing 300kg sold for €1,680 (€5.60/kg).
Weighing 355kg, this Charolais-cross heifer born 24/03/2026 sold for €1,700 (€4.79/kg).
This pair of Aberdeen Angus-cross heifers weighing 498kg and born in February 2026 sold for €1,800 (€3.61/kg).
This Limousin-cross heifer weighing 340kg and born 04/01/2026 sold for €1,300 (€3.82/kg.
This Charolais-cross heifer weighing 330kg and born 16/03/2026 sold for €1,580 (€5.27/kg).
This Simmental-cross heifer weighing 475kg and born 20/07/24 sold for €2,010 (€4.23/kg).
This Charolais-cross heifer born 17/03/2025 and weighing 460kg sold for €2,180 (€4.74/kg).
This Limousin-cross weanling heifer born 02/02/26 and weighing 370kg sold for €1,450 (€3.92/kg).