The demand was reflected in the clearance rate, while the uncertainty of the current beef climate showed through in the prices paid at Bandon Mart's show and sale of stores on Monday night.

Comparing with the corresponding sale 12 months ago, prices for all grades of forward bullocks are 15c to 20c/kg behind those of 2018.

This pair of March 2018-born bullocks had an average weight of 475kg and sold for €1,010 (€2.13/kg).

Prices

Traditional beef breed-crosses made up most of the numbers and most sold for €1.80/kg back to €1.65, similar prices to early autumn 2018.

There was a higher proportion of continental bullocks available than the average sale in Bandon and these made €300 to €595 over the €/kg.

Friesians made €100 to €295 with their weight.

These March 2017-born bullocks weighing 777kg made €1,290 (€1.66/kg).

Bullock sample prices

  • Four Angus, March 2018, 460kg - €820, €1.78/kg.
  • Five Angus, March 2018, 501kg - €860, €1.72/kg.
  • Three Belgian Blue, December 2017, 605kg - €1,170, €1.93/kg.
  • Two Limousin, March 2018, 475kg - €1,010, €2.13/kg.
  • Eight Hereford, February 2018, 578kg - €990, €1.71/kg.
  • Six Hereford, February 2018, 500kg - €845, €1.69/kg.
  • Two Friesian, March 2018, 525kg - €775, €1.48/kg.

    • This group of February 2018-born bullocks had an average weight of 677kg. They sold for €1,130 (€1.67/kg).

    Dry cows

    There was 83 cows on offer and they sold from €160 under to €660 over the €/kg. Trade was strongest for well-fleshed suckler cows, with these selling from €1.35/kg up to €1.67/kg.

    At the top end were a number of heavy Friesians weighing from 900kg to 1,015kg, these sold for up to €1.44/kg.

    The lighter Friesians that were well fleshed made from €1.15/kg to €1.35/kg.

    At the lower end of the market, cows in need of further finishing sold from €1.10/kg back to 0.85c/kg.

    This seven-year-old cow weighed 925kg and made €1,270 (€1.37/kg).

    Cow sample prices

  • One Friesian, 905kg - €1,300, €1.44/kg.
  • One Friesian, 1,015kg - €1,280, €1.26/kg.
  • One Friesian, 525kg - €805, €1.53/kg.
  • One Charolais, 980kg - €1,640, €1.67/kg.
  • One Limousin, 715kg - €1,090, €1.52/kg.
  • One Charolais, 825kg - €1,285, €1.56/kg.
  • One Angus, 830kg - €1,155, €1.39/kg.

    • This pen of March 2018-born Angus bullocks averaged 460kg and sold for €820 (€1.78/kg).

    This 2015-born Angus cow weighed 830kg and sold for €1,155 (€1.39/kg).

    This 2010-born cow weighed 810kg and made €1,270 (€1.57/kg).

    This 2015-born cow weighing 720kg sold for €1,050 (€1.46/kg).

    This 2011-born cow weighed 945kg and sold for €1,200 (€1.27/kg.