There was another good entry of cattle on offer on Saturday at Balla Mart but overall numbers were lower than last week.

Like last week, bullocks were a slightly stronger trade than heifers, but overall prices are still running well behind last year.

This Charolais-cross bullock born December 2018 and weighing 495kg sold for €1,160 (€2.34/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock born March 2018 and weighing 600kg sold for €1,040 (€1.73/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock born March 2018 and weighing 535kg sold for €965 (€1.80/kg).

The bullock sale saw plenty of farmers and agents active for all good-quality types but, like previous weeks, plainer bullocks remain difficult. Bullocks over 600kg saw prices range from €1.85/kg to €2.10/kg, with price dependent on quality.

The best-quality types made slightly over €2.10/kg, with the top price of €1,550 being recorded for a 750kg Limousin.

Most forward stores over 600kg sold from €1,100/head to €1,200/head. Stores from 500kg to 600kg were a steady trade on last week, but plainer types are still a slow sell. Prices ranged mainly from €1,000/head to €1,200/head, with prices of over €1,350 paid for top-quality bullocks.

This Limousin-cross bullock born April 2018 and weighing 590kg sold for €1,100 (€1.86/kg).

This Limousin-cross bullock born May 2018 and weighing 535kg sold for €1,070 (€2.00kg).

This Limousin-cross bullock born July 2018 and weighing 425kg sold for €955 (€2.25/kg).

The prices paid for lighter stores were very dependent on quality, with prices ranging from €500 for a 440kg Shorthorn to €1,160 for a top-quality 495kg Charolais. The main run of bullocks in this weight range sold from €850/head to €1,000/head.

Heifers

There were some smashing-quality heavy heifers on offer, with prices topping out at €1,640 for a 630kg Limousin. Heifers over 600kg sold from €1,100/head to €1,250/head. Average-quality types over 500kg made from €950/head to €1,000/head, with some well-shaped types making over €1,100 at times. Plainer-quality heifers were a sticky trade, with some selling back to €820/head.

This Belgian Blue-cross heifer born April 2018 and weighing 515kg sold for €1,125 (€2.18/kg).

This Charolais-cross heifer born November 2018 and weighing 550kg sold for €1,080 (€1.96/kg).

This five-star Limousin-cross heifer born April 2018 and weighing 410kg sold for €850 (€2.07/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer born July 2017 and weighing 575kg sold for €1,500 (€2.61/kg).

This Angus-cross heifer born May 2018 and weighing 400kg sold for €710 (€1.78/kg).

Stores from 400kg to 500kg were a little easier than bullocks of the same weight. Average-quality types made from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg and up to €2.10/kg for U grade types.

In the cow trade, most feeding continentals from 600kg to 700kg sold from €800/head to €1,000/head, with up to €1,100/head paid for better-quality continental cows. Springer cows were a slightly improved trade for good-quality types.

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