Show and sale season is in full flight in Loughrea Mart with a cattle show and sale held last Saturday and a weanling heifer show and sale on Friday night.

Manager Kevin Holland reported on a sharp trade for over 450 head on Saturday.

He commented that fewer animals were slaughter-fit due to drought but some top-quality forward stores were on offer.

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This generated more bite for beef cattle, with prices up in cases by 5c/kg to 10c/kg. Heavier bullocks weighing 600kg-plus averaged €4.02/kg, selling from €3.80/kg to €4.20/kg.

Lighter lots weighing 500kg to 600kg were similar, averaging €4.06/kg, while stores weighing 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.12/kg.

Heifers were in demand, with some breeding types hitting €5/kg-plus. Heifers weighing 600kg to 720kg averaged €4.01/kg (€3.60/kg to €4.35/kg), while those weighing 500kg to 595kg averaged €4.15/kg and lighter sorts just shy of €4/kg.

There was a vibrant trade for an entry of over 150 heifers on Friday night, with prices averaging at over €5/kg.

Some show-type and heifers suitable for breeding sold from €6/kg to €7/kg, with a top of €8.03/kg paid.

A small number of Angus heifers sold from €3.70/kg to €4.16/kg, with some lesser-quality continental heifers selling from €4.30/kg to €4.70/kg.

In pictures

This pair of quality Limousin-cross heifers born in October 2024 and weighing 54kg on average sold for €2,700 (€4.95/kg).

This pair of prizewinning Charolais-cross heifer weighing 643kg on average and born in February 2024 sold for €2,720 (€4.23/kg).

This fleshed Charolais-cross heifer weighing 635kg and born 27/03/24 sold for €2,580 (€4.06/kg).

This good-quality Charolais-cross heifer weighing 625kg and born 18/03/24 sold for €2,700 (€4.32/kg).

Weighing 620kg, this Charolais-cross heifer born 27/03/24 sold for €2,600 (€4.19/kg).

This Charolais-cross heifer weighing 600kg and born 15/04/24 sold for €2,520 (€4.20/kg).

Weighing 555kg, this Charolais-cross heifer born 26/01/25 sold for €2,400 (€4.32/kg).