There were 83 animals that passed through Granard Mart on Wednesday for its weekly bullock, heifer and dry cow sale. The sale saw a 99% clearance rate.

The bulk of the sale consisted of heavy 600kg-plus bullocks, with 39 of the 57 bullocks present surpassing that weight.

The top third of heavy bullocks made a respectable €3.94/kg, which was only down 7c from last week's sale, despite downward pressure on the beef trade.

On the lower third of the scale, heavier bullocks were up 7c from last week (€3.41/kg), showing some stability in the market.

Mart manager Joseph Reilly believes the cow trade was strong on the day: “Cows are holding up well, there’s a strong demand for heavy, well-fleshed continental cows; there’s no real store cows out there.”

Cows are up almost 20c from last week for the top 33%, with a 770kg Limousin-cross cow making €2,700 (€3.51/kg).

The heifer sale saw 660kg making €3.46/kg for an Aberdeen Angus-cross heifer, in a sale where heavier heifers were scarce.

“Store bullocks are in high demand and beef is obviously still very much in the factories' hands. There are a lot of cattle going through the rings around the country that would usually be in the factory,” remarked Joe.

Reilly is hopeful of having more numbers in over the coming weeks, in particular weanlings, which he said are slow to take off.

The next sale in Granard Mart is on Monday 10 August with a weanling sale, followed by heifers, bullocks, dry cows and stock bulls on Wednesday 12 August.

This Limousin-cross bullock born 16/05/24 and weighing 740kg sold for €2,740 (€3.70/kg).

This Hereford-cross bullock born 09/10/22 and weighing 720kg sold for €2,680 (€3.72/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock born 11/04/24 and weighing 600kg sold for €2,420 (€4.03/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock born 13/02/24 and weighing 670kg sold for €2,200 (€3.28/kg).

This Hereford-cross cow born 02/04/10 and weighing 690kg sold for €1,900 (€2,75/kg).

This Charolais-cross heifer born 26/02/25 and weighing 360kg sold for €1,760 (€4.89/kg).