With marts back in full swing after the Christmas holidays, a large entry of 350 beef cattle was met with a very robust demand last Thursday 15 January at Ballymena Mart in Co Antrim.

Beef bullocks sold to a top price of £3,219 (370p/kg) for an 870kg Charolais, while an 860kg Limousin made £3,182 (370p/kg).

A number of other lots broke the £3,000 barrier, including a 770kg Limousin at £3,041 (395p/kg).

The highest prices per kg for beef bullocks saw over 400p/kg being paid on a number of occasions, including for a 670kg Charolais at £2,747 (410p/kg) and a 720kg Limousin at £2,937 (408p/kg).

Allowing for a high kill-out and the £75/head beef carbon reduction scheme payment, those prices point to factory returns of at least 660p/kg.

The top end of beef heifers also crossed the 400p/kg mark, with the highest price paid for an 810kg Limousin at £3,450 (426p/kg).

A 700kg Charolais (pictured) sold for £2,926 (418p/kg), while a 700kg Simmental made £2,898 (414p/kg).

Cow trade

While there has been some easing in the prices paid for dairy cull cows in recent weeks due to lower factory returns, the mart trade for beef cows remains strong, especially for younger animals.

Prices for beef cows peaked last Thursday at £3,453 paid for an 870kg Charolais (397p/kg), while a 750kg Belgian Blue (pictured above) made £2,880 (384p/kg).