Last Monday’s sale at Castleisland Mart saw an entry of about 250 calves and weanlings on offer.
There was only a handful of weanlings, but the trade for them was strong. Weanling bulls over 300kg sold from €720 for a Limousin to a top of €760 for a 356kg Limousin bull.
Heifer weanlings sold to a top price of €880 for a 378kg top-quality heifer.
There was a good share of Angus heifer calves on offer, which were met with strong demand.
At the top of the market, older weaned heifers sold to a top price of €350/head, with other weaned calves selling from €280 upwards. The average price paid for Angus heifers was €195/head, with young calves making from €100 to €130.
Angus bull calves sold for €235/head on average, with weaned calves selling from €280 to €385/head. Some strong calves sold for more than this.
Friesian bull calves sold for €190/head on average, with younger calves selling from €50/head to €80/head, with stronger calves making around €200/head.
Hereford heifers sold for €225/head, with strong weaned calves selling from €320/head to €360/head and over it for aged strong calves.
Hereford bulls sold for €265/head on average, with better-quality weaned calves making from €320/head to €390/head at the top of the market. Commission rates were €8 to the buyer and 1.5% to the seller.
Ringside comment: low numbers and a variable trade