There was a good entry of stock on offer today at Balla Mart, despite the good weather and farmers being active in the fields.

While ringsides were a little quieter with less farmers around, dealers and agents were active, with some feeders present and bidding also.

This resulted in quite a good trade considering the current difficulties.

Bullocks

The bullock trade was a little stronger than heifers.

Bullocks over 600kg sold from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg for good continentals and to over €2.10/kg at times for top-quality U grades.

Like recent weeks, plainer and overage bullocks were a slower sell compared with the better-quality continentals.

Stores from 400kg to 500kg sold from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg; similar to last week. Some better fancy stores made over the €2.30/kg mark.

Heifers

Heavy good-quality continental heifers were a steady trade on last week and prices were firm as a result.

At the top of the market, heavy heifers over 600kg sold from €1,300 to €1,400/head, with good demand for them.

Average-quality types made from €1,100/head to €1,200/head and some traditional breeds made under €1,000/head.

Those from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg for average-quality types, which again was similar to last week.

Quality

The quality of stock on offer today was one of the key features that is keeping prices up in the mart. The top third sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.15/kg.

Stores from 400kg to 500kg were a good trade where good-quality Limousin and Charolais types were on offer, but dairy-cross heifers and poor-quality types are still a difficult trade.

Average-quality types from 400kg to 500kg made from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg and up to €2.30/kg for U grade types.

Light heifer weanlings from 300kg to 400kg were a mixed trade, but where quality was good, prices of €750 to €900/head were achieved.

This Charolais-cross heifer, born May 2017 and weighing 615kg, sold for €1,180 (€1.92/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer, born April 2018 and weighing 560kg, sold for €1,160 (€2.07/kg).

This Angus-cross heifer, born May 2018 and weighing 515kg, sold for €955 (€1.85/kg).

This Angus-cross heifer, born May 2018 and weighing 365kg, sold for €615 (€1.68/kg).

This pair of Charolais- and Limousin-cross bullocks, born April/July 2018 and weighing 460kg on average, sold for €1,150 each (€2.50/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock, born May 2018 and weighing 415kg, sold for €970 (€2.34/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock, born August 2018 and weighing 470kg, sold for €1,085 (€2.31/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock, born June 2018 and weighing 490kg, sold for €1,080 (€2.20/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock, born April 2018 and weighing 490kg, sold for €1,010 (€2.06/kg).

This pair of Charolais-cross bullocks, born April 2018 and weighing 510kg on average, sold for €1,110 each (€2.18/kg).

This pair of Charolais-cross bullocks, born Feb/Mar 2018 and weighing 528kg on average, sold for €1,145 (€2.17/kg).