On Wednesday last, Portumna Mart held a special Fat Stock Show and Sale, with over 360 cattle on offer on the day.

Speaking to the Irish Farmer's Journal, mart manger PJ Conroy said "We had a great show of stock here.

"It was a credit to the farmers, and I'd like to thank all who sponsored the show. We had plenty of buyers around the ring and store cattle are a good trade, with great demand for store heifers from grass buyers.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The trade for cull cows had improved on the previous week for the bottom two thirds of cows, seeing a rise of between 20c/kg and 30c/kg, with the top third of cows remaining steady, selling for an average of €3.27/kg.

"The middle third of cows rose 26c/kg on the previous week and sold for an average of €3/kg, with the bottom third selling for an impressive €2.63/kg.”

Heifers and bullocks

Heifers and bullock numbers were even on the day, at around the 130 mark in both sections. Lighter heifers were a better trade compared with the bullocks, but the heavier bullocks sold to a sharper trade than the heavy heifers.

“The top third of store heifers on offer were super quality and had no bother crossing the €4/kg mark, with the top third of heifers between 350kg and 400kg selling to an average of €4.73/kg," Mr Conroy said. "Your average quality heifer remained a good seller. Heifers weighing under 500kg averaged around the €3.80/kg to €3.90/kg mark, and as you go towards the bottom third, they were mainly made up of dairy cross heifer, they averaged out at €3.50/kg.

“Heavier heifers remained a steady trade, not as sharp as the heavy bullocks, but that was mainly down to some super-quality continental bullocks on offer. Your top heifers over 500kg are typically selling around the €4/kg mark, heifers averaged out between €3.60/kg to €3.70/kg mark, with your bottom third of heifers averaging €3.35/kg.

“We had a super show of heavy bullocks weighing from 500kg upwards. Your top-quality continental bullocks are still highly sought after. The top third of heavy bullocks averaged €4.10/kg and the quality fed down the line, with the middle third of bullocks averaging an impressive €3.80/kg.

"The bottom third of bullocks averaged €3.50/kg, with plenty of buyers for those Angus and Hereford-cross bullocks," Mr Conroy added.

This Limousin-cross bullock weighing 510kg and born 08/09/24 sold for €2,180 (€4.27/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock weighing 550kg and born 08/11/24 sold for €2,260 (€4.11/kg).

This second-prize-winning Charolais-cross bullock weighing 810kg and born 06/03/24 sold for €3,100 (€3.83/kg).

These five Angus-cross bullocks weiging 403kg and born February 2025 sold for €1,460 (€3.62/kg).

This third-prize-winning Limousin-cross heifer weighing 645kg and born 03/04/24 sold for €2,540 (€3.94/kg).

These four Hereford-cross heifers weighing 374kg and born February 2025 sold for €1,340 (€3.64/kg).

This second-prize-winning Limousin-cross heifer weighing 680kg and born 31/03/24 sold for €2,700 (€3.97/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer weighing 715kg and born 23/03/24 sold for €2,690 (€3.76/kg).

This Belgian Blue-cross heifer weighing 365kg and born 10/03/25 sold for €2,260 (€6.19/kg).

This Limousin-cross cow weighing 660kg and born 13/08/23 sold for €2,000 (€3.03/kg).

This Simmental-cross cow weighing 715kg and born 06/09/21 sold for €2,200 (€3.08/kg).

This Charolais-cross cow weighing 795kg and born 12/03/20 sold for €2,440 (€3.07/kg).

This Limousin-cross cow weighing 645kg and born 04/09/22 sold for €2,090 (€3.24/kg).

This Charolais-cross cow weighing 835kg and born 15/03/14 sold for €2,650 (€3.17/kg).