There was a good entry of cattle at the Skibbereen annual fatstock show and sale on Friday.
Champion of the show and sale went to a Belgian blue cross heifer belonging to John Cullinane, Ballineen. The January 2017-born heifer weighed 905kg and made €2,650, €2.93/kg.
Reserve champion went to Mervyn Busteed, Bandon, for a Belgian blue cross heifer. The March 2017-born animal weighed 640kg and sold for €1,900, €2.97/kg.
Improvement
In the general sale there was an improved cow trade compared to recent weeks, according to manager Tom McCarthy. A solid showing of forward suckler cows helped but fleshed Friesians sold well too.
Prices for these ranged from €1.15/kg to €1.30/kg. This is about 10c/kg back on the same time last year.
Suckler cows requiring further feeding were selling in the same price range. Parlour cows were making €0.85/kg to €1.05/kg.
Show stock
Forward beef cows made up to €1.60/kg, the exceptions being the show class cows where the top cows sold from €2/kg up to €2.24/kg.
Cow sample prices
In what was the penultimate sale of the 2018 calendar for Skibbereen, bullocks made from €250 to €700 with their weight.
Bullock sample prices
Summary of other stock
Heifers sold from €250 to €800 over the €/kg. There were also 160 weanlings on offer and across dairy and suckler stock, these sold for between €220 and €520 with their weight.