Camera at the Mart: full clearance for over 1,100 cattle in Skibbereen Mart

Skibbereen Mart saw a full clearance at last Friday’s sale, with over 1,100 cattle on offer.

There was strong demand from both farmers and exporters for cattle, with farmers traveling from 14 different counties to purchase.

Manager Keith Mullaney commented: “Between bullocks and heifers, there was 265 on offer, selling to an improved trade.

"There up a couple of hundred head the last three weeks, with farmers driving the trade for grass.

"The top third of cattle were able to cross €4.80/kg, with up to €5.80/kg to be got for the top-end lots, while the middle third of cattle sold from €4/kg upwards and the bottom-end lots selling from €3.70/kg to €4/kg.

"There was exceptional demand from farmers for bullocks for grass, with well-bred Hereford-cross bullocks crossing €5/kg.

Weanlings

"On the weanling front, there was exceptional demand for quality bull weanlings able to sell across €6.50/kg, with a number of exporters keen to buy the top-end U and E grade weanlings, with heifer weanlings regularly crossing €5/kg for continental lots, with traditional-bred cattle selling just shy of the €5/kg mark.”

There was a good entry of cull cows on Friday, with over 70 cows sold on the day, with numbers stabilising as farmers get familiar with the new TB rules.

Well-bred Friesian-cross cull cows sold just shy of €3/kg, with the general run from €2.70/kg to €3/kg, while suckler cows met a sharper demand selling from €3.20/kg to €3.70/kg.

Calf trade

There were 685 calves on offer, with a good number of shippers active around the ring, which helped drive the 100% clearance achieved. Top price was for an 80kg Limousin-cross bull calf selling for €755.

There was strong demand for continental bull calves, with a number crossing the €700/head mark. Overall, the bull calves saw an average of €437/head across all breeds.

Friesian-cross bull calves sold from €250 to €385, while Angus-cross bulls sold from €240 to €705/head for heavier calves and Hereford-cross bulls met a sharper demand, selling from €320 to €750, with continental-bred bull calves meeting the best demand and selling from €500 to €755.

Similar to the bulls, continental-bred heifers met the best demand, with Belgian Blue-cross heifers in keen demand and selling to a top price of €690.

Overall, heifer calves trailed behind the bulls, with an average of €320/head achieved.

Angus- and Hereford-cross heifers sold from €180 to €625, with continental-bred calves selling from €270 to €690, with Belgian Blue-cross calves the best sellers.