Monday 8 December saw a smaller seasonal entry of cattle presented at the Northern Counties Co-operative Enterprises mart in Swatragh, Co Derry.

Commenting at the sale, farming and livestock operations manager Eamon Healey said quality cattle were still highly sought after, but the number of these animals coming forward has become scarce in the last couple of weeks. “There is also good demand for fleshed continental cows with good activity, both ringside and online,” he added.

During the sale last Monday, continental cows mainly traded around 300p/kg to 330p/kg, while dairy bred cows in good flesh, made prices around the 220p/kg mark.

Weanlings

Some good quality Charolais weanlings were available and sold between 440p/kg and 460p/kg, with Aberdeen Angus cattle out of suckler cows making around 400p/kg to 420p/kg.

Dairy beef-bred lumps were trading between 300-400p/kg, quality and weight dependent.

While beef quotes have come under a bit of pressure in early December, the prices paid for U and R grading types in the marts are holding well. Instead, it is mid- to lower-quality sorts that are feeling the pinch.

Once the wave of dairy stock slows at the factory gates, we will get a better vibe of where the beef market is at.

This July 2020-born Aubrac cow weighed 680kg and sold for £2,060, 302p/kg.

This 2016-born Swedish Red cow weighed 760kg and sold for £1,650, 217p/kg.

This Aberdeen Angus heifer, born 29 March 2025, weighed 240kg and sold for £950, 395p/kg.

This Aberdeen Angus male, born 1 May 2025, weighed 308kg and sold for £1,000, 324p/kg.

This Limousin male, born 7 April 2024, weighed 590kg and sold for £2,150, 364p/kg.

This Belgian Blue male, born 20 May 2025, weighed 260kg and sold for £850, 326p/kg.

This Hereford male, born 27 March 2025, weighed 290kg and sold for £960, 331p/kg.

This Aberdeen Angus male, born 6 June 2025, weighed 314kg and sold for £1,300, 414p/kg.

This Charolais male, born 14 April 2025, weighed 410kg and sold for £1,820, 443p/kg.

This Charolais male, born 12 April 2025, weighed 438kg and sold for £2,010, 458p/kg.

This Aberdeen Angus male, born 9 June 2025, weighed 300kg and sold for £1,170, 390p/kg.