Last Saturday 7 February saw an increasing number of cattle through the rings at Clogher Mart in Co Tyrone as farmers start to turn their attention to buying cattle for the spring.

In total, over 1,200 head were presented for sale, with more than half of the cattle being either steers, heifers or fat cows, while around 40% were calves or weanlings. There was also some dairy and beef breeding stock on offer.

In the heifer ring, auctioneer William Blackburn kept things moving swiftly with over 186 lots to sell.

Heifers weighing 500kg to 600kg generally traded from 340p/kg to around 400p/kg. Lighter sorts weighing 400kg to 500kg and suited to going back to grass this spring, sold for around 380p/kg to 420p/kg, with any heifers with the potential to go for breeding, attracting an additional premium.

The top-priced heifer at the sale was the £2,640 (4.06p/kg), paid for a May 2024-born 650kg Charolais animal.

In the bullock ring, the top price of £3,240 (395p/kg) was paid for a December 2023-born Charolais at £3,240.

Cull cows remain a very strong trade, with the leading price being the £3,708 (420p/kg) paid for a 900kg January 2019-born Belgian Blue cow.