The sale entry in Kilrush Mart, Co Clare, on Wednesday 27 May was reduced to over 100 head by farmers taking advantage of the brief spell of good weather.

However, those who did show cattle met a relatively lively trade, with firm demand in particular for cull cows.

Well-fleshed beef cows sold in the main from €2.60/kg to upwards of €3/kg for a few good-quality Charolais-cross cows.

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There was a wider differential in price for Friesian cows, with prices ranging anywhere from €2.05/kg to €2.85/kg.

The higher prices ranging from €2.60/kg to €2.85/kg were paid for a number of top-quality cows weighing to as high as 785kg, while the general run for lighter fleshed cows weighing from 580kg to 650kg was from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg.

A small number of aged cows with an average cover of flesh sold back to €2.05/kg to €2.20/kg.

Calves

The next highest entry of stock was calves, with the majority on offer being young calves aged about one month old.

Angus-cross bull calves sold in the main from €300 to €380, with a couple of good-quality Hereford bull calves selling to a top of €450/head.

Hereford heifers sold from €200 to €280 for lighter-boned types to over €300 for better-quality calves.

A small number of young continental-crosses sold from €280 to €340 on average and a top of €400 for a Shorthorn-cross heifer calf.

Most of the heifers and bullocks on offer were younger types aged less than 18 months of age.

Eoin Hurley of Clare Marts said the trade for lighter stock remains relatively firm despite the negativity surrounding beef price, with such cattle still in demand from farmers sourcing cattle for summer grazing systems.

Continental-cross heifers sold in the main from €3.80/kg to €4.50/kg, with a selection of top-quality lots rising to €4.80/kg-plus.

Similar prices were paid for bull weanlings, while dairy-crosses weighing from 230kg to 300kg sold from €3.70/kg to €4.25/kg. A small number of Friesian bullocks sold around the €3/kg mark.

Sales in the mart will be held fortnightly for the next few months, with the next sale on Wednesday 10 June.

In pictures

This Friesian-cross cow weighing 545kg and born 07/03/2021 sold for €1,360 (€2.50/kg).

This aged Friesian cull cow born 17/03/2010 and weighing 570kg sold for €1,290 (€2.26/kg).

This Friesian cull cow born 16/02/2012 and weighing 565kg sold for €1,180 (€2.09/kg).

This Simmental-cross cull cow weighing 685kg and born 23/04/2017 sold for €1,840 (€2.69/kg).

This good-quality Limousin heifer born 10/04/2024 and weighing 445kg sold for €2,160 (€4.85/kg).

This Charolais-cross heifer weighing 330kg and born 29/12/2024 sold for €1,340 (€4.06/kg).

Weighing 230kg, this Charolais-cross bull born 14/06/2025 sold for €1,100 (€4.78/kg).

This batch of four Hereford-cross bullocks born from mid-March to mid-May 2025 and averaging 310kg sold for €1,310 (€4.23/kg).

This young Limousin-cross bull born 14/10/2025 and weighing 270kg sold for €1,170 (€4.33/kg).

This aged Simmental-cross cow born 22/03/2014 and with a Limousin-cross bull calf at foot born 24/04/2026 sold for €2,480.

Weighing 805kg this Hereford bull born 01/03/2023 sold for €2,350 (€2.92/kg).

This well-fleshed Friesian cow born 29/02/2012 and weighing 560kg sold for €1,350 (€2.41/kg).

This pair of nice-quality Limousin-cross heifers born 10/10/2024 and 27/11/2024 and averging 425kg sold for €1,700 (€4/kg).

This pair of Limousin-cross heifers born November 2024 and averaging 387.5kg sold for €1,470 (€3.79/kg).

This Charolais-cross cow weighing 675kg and born 03/04/2020 sold for €2,030 (€3.01/kg).

This Friesian bull weighing 600kg and born 29/02/2024 sold for €1,800 (€3/kg).