Today’s sale at Balla Mart saw a slightly smaller entry of bullocks, heifers and weanlings on offer. The trade was fairly good for good-quality stock, but there was a noticeable reduction in the quality of stock on offer, which led to lower prices paid overall.

Heavy bullocks over 580kg sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg with some fancy types making similar prices to last week. Stores from 500-580kg sold mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg for average-quality continentals with Angus types selling for around the €2.00/kg mark.

The heifer trade was back only slightly for good cattle but plainer types were a little harder sold than last week

Light stores were a fairly steady trade with good farmer and agent demand for all types. Prices of these ranged mainly from €2.25/kg to €2.40/kg and up to €2.60/kg at time for top-quality types.

There were a good share of weanlings on offer also, those from 300-400kg sold mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg with better-quality bulls making over €2.70/kg. Plainer weanlings were back by €20-€50/head on last week.

The heifer trade was back only slightly for good cattle but plainer types were a little harder sold than last week. Heavy heifers over 600kg sold for over €1,450/head with average types making from €1,200/head and upwards.

Forward store heifers from 500-600kg sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg for R grades with plainer types making €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg. Stores from 400-500kg were similar to last week, but again plainer-quality light stores were slower to sell.

The average heifer made from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg with U grades making over €2.50/kg. Weanling heifers were like bulls a reasonably firm trade where the quality on offer was good. Those from 300-400kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.40/kg and up to €2.60/kg for better types. Plain light weanling heifers though were back on last week.