Usually numbers tail off quickly as we move into December, but Saturday’s sale saw another large entry of stock on offer at Balla Mart.

There was a good entry of good-quality bullocks on offer, as a result of more farmers offloading after holding them for the seven-month retention period. In total, there were about 750 cattle on offer.

There was strong demand for top-quality heavy bullocks over 650kg. Top-quality bullocks sold to €1,495 for a 695kg Limousin.

Store bullocks

Store bullocks over 400kg sold to €2.60/kg, with the majority of good-quality types selling from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg.

Those from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg for average quality types while better quality R+ and U grades sold from €2.15/kg to €2.30/kg.

Where plainer dairy and Hereford cross bullocks were on offer, prices of €1.60/kg to €1.80/kg were more common and demand was mixed.

Like last week, where old bullocks that would not be suitable for slaughter under 16 months were on offer, demand was much weaker and they attracted prices of €100 to €150 lower than in-spec stock.

Heifers

Heifers from 500kg to 600kg were more plentiful and sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg and up to €2.30/kg at the top of the market for U grades. Plainer heifers sold from €1.70/kg upwards.

Light heifers from 400kg to 500kg were a good trade also where the quality on offer was high. Prices averaged from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg and at the top of the trade prices went up to over €2.50/kg. Light heifers under 400kg were a slightly improved trade and prices ranged mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.45/kg for good-quality types.

There were about 120 cull cows on offer which were met with a steady trade, although older and thin cull cows were a little weaker again this week. Dry cows sold to a top price of €1,735 for a well-muscled 935kg Charolais cow. First cavled heifers sold to a top price of €1,615.