Camera at the Mart: numbers and prices hold firm in Ballinrobe

A total of 264 cattle passed through the ring in Ballinrobe Mart on Wednesday 7 May, with keen demand seen across all stock types in general.

A total clearance of 91% was recorded, while many of the unsold lots were still bid to solid prices.

Farmer buyers and factory agents were most prevalent ringside, with a solid mix of both suckler-bred and dairy-beef stock on offer.

Many of the cattle on offer were of store type requiring further finishing, with feedlot buyers also competing for these lots.

Mart manager Teresa Gibsey noted: “Numbers are staying strong for the time of year and there is a good trade across the board for cattle, from weanlings right up to cull cows, with buyers present for all quality and type.”

In the heifer ring, prices of €950 to €2,190/head were recorded, with a price range of €3.17/kg to €7.27/kg seen.

Heifers and heifer weanlings under 300kg averaged a solid €5.24/kg, with a high of €7.27/kg paid, while lots weighing between 300kg and 400kg averaged €4.04/kg.

The majority of heifers on offer sat in the 400kg to 500kg weight bracket, with these types averaging €3.92/kg, with tops of €4.66/kg being paid.

A small number of heavier heifers weighing from 500kg to 600kg sold to an average of €3.82/kg.

In the bullock ring, keenest demand was seen for lighter, continental-bred bullocks, with some more store-type dairy-beef stock at the lower end of price, with lower numbers of bullocks recorded in comparison with heifers.

Bullocks weighing from 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.47/kg to a high of €5.80/kg, with lots weighing from 400kg to 500kg averaging €3.96/kg.

A small showing of more forward store bullocks weighing from 500kg to 600kg averaged €3.80/kg).

Factory agents and finishers showed a keen appetite for cows, with feeding-type lots the hottest trade.

Dry cows sold from €1,300 to €2,530/head, with an average price per kg of €3.38 paid across all lots.

Quality continental-type cows sold in main from €3.30/kg to €3.50/kg, with some select lots of store cows selling above €4/kg.

Weanlings bulls were a relatively strong trade. MartBids analysis show lots weighing from 200kg to 300kg averaged €5.43/kg, with weanling bulls weighing from 300kg to 400kg averaging €5.02/kg. A small number of bulls weighing over 400kg averaged €4.91/kg.

Top price of the sale was a 2022-born Angus-cross cow with a bull calf at foot that sold for €2,980 for the team.

In pictures