There were no Black Friday deals in Rathfriland Mart on 5 December, with a super entry coming to town and meeting fierce demand, especially in the dropped calf ring.

Auctioneer Stephen Redmond kept stock moving through the ring at a rapid pace.

Some large consignments of AI bred Hereford, Belgian Blue and Aberdeen Angus calves from three to six weeks old traded for between £500 and £700, depending on their quality.

Younger beef-bred calves sold from £350, while Holstein bulls traded from £400.

Reared bull calves peaked at £1,050 for a Limousin, followed by an Aberdeen Angus at £950. Heifers peaked at £1,090 for a Limousin.

Some quality fresh-calved dairy heifers were also available after the calf sale and they sold to £3,100, followed by £3,000.

Weanlings

In the cattle ring, male weanlings sold to 580p/kg, £1,990 for a 426kg Limousin, followed by £1,940, 447p/kg for a 434kg Limousin.

Heifers peaked at 532p/kg, £1,700 for a 372kg Charolais followed by £1,670, 417p/kg, for a 400kg Limousin.

Beef heifers generally sold at around 365p/kg, to a top of 460p/kg and bullocks traded from 335p/kg to 433p/kg. The fat cow trade has eased with prices paid ranging between 220p/kg and 288p/kg.