Camera at the Mart: quality cows top firm trade in Donegal Mart

Last Friday’s cattle sale in Donegal Mart mirrored the trade nationwide, with entries slowly declining while buyer appetite remains strong. This is helping to keep a firm floor under the trade, with mart manager Eimear McGuinness reporting good appetite for stock despite a tricky beef trade.

Cow entries and quality have been strong all spring and Eimear reports that this remains the case for both slaughter-fit and good feeding cows. Quality continental cows sold on average from €1.60/kg to €1.80/kg for fleshed lots, with some feeding types and lesser-quality lots back to €1.30/kg to €1.40/kg.

There are some autumn-born weanlings starting to appear in greater numbers in sales and these are also attracting positive attention. July- and August-born bulls in the 380kg to 480kg bracket and capable of hitting R+/U grading sold from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg, with lesser types selling back to €2.00/kg. This included aged bulls, which dropped below the €2/kg mark for average-quality lots.

Heifers followed a similar price trend to bulls, with a few top-quality lots selling as high as €2.80/kg to €3.00/kg. Lighter lots weighing 250kg to 300kg averaged €2.50/kg to €2.80/kg. Commission rates are €10 to the buyer and 1.3% to 1.5% to the seller.