Saturday’s sale at Dowra Mart saw a large entry of cattle on offer as sale numbers are at peak. No sheep were on offer as the sheep sales are now running on a Friday to allow for larger numbers of both sheep and cattle to move through marts. The trade overall was quite steady, with heifers being met with stronger demand than bulls.
Cows
Cull cows were relatively steady, but prices were very dependent on weight and quality. At the top of the market, top-quality heavy cows over 800kg were making over €1.80/kg. The majority of those on offer were store cows, mostly three-quarters finished. These cows were mainly around 700kg to 750kg and were selling for about €900 to €1,000/head. Older cows and light-framed cows were in less demand, with prices ranging mainly from €100 to €200 along with the weight. There were a handful of Friesian cows on offer which sold from €100 under the weight to €375 over the weight for a good-quality slaughter-fit type.
This Simmental cross heifer born April 2018 and weighing 390kg sold for €840 (€2.15/kg).
This Charolais cross heifer born June 2018 and weighing 465kg sold for €900 (€1.94/kg).
This Angus cross heifer born March 2018 and weighing 555kg sold for €1,050 (€1.89/kg).
This Limousin cross heifer born April 2017 and weighing 505kg sold for €1,155 (€2.29/kg).
This Charolais cross bull born June 2019 and weighing 380kg sold for €910 (€2.39/kg).
Heifers
The heifer trade saw plenty of buyers active, and while prices were lower than this time last year, the trade was still much better than expected. Most of the heifers on offer were light stores, but even some of the heavier types were a relatively good trade also. Those over 500kg sold from €1.80/kg for Angus crosses to over €2.25/kg for top-quality continentals suited to feeding or to bull.
Types from 400kg to 450kg sold mainly from €900 to €1,000/head, with top-quality types making over the €1,000/head mark. Heifers from 300kg to 400kg were a fairly steady trade and mainly sold from €700 to €850.
Bulls
Weanling bulls were a little harder sold than heifers, with a lower clearance rate achieved on the day. Bulls over 400kg sold mainly from €850 to €950/head, with the majority around the €900 mark.
This Belgian Blue cross bull born March 2019 and weighing 360kg sold for €710 (€1.97/kg).
This Charolais cross bull born June 2019 and weighing 410kg sold for €910 (€2.22/kg).
This Charolais cross bull born December 2018 and weighing 395kg sold for €880 (€2.23/kg).
Bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €700 to €800, with some making up to €900/head.
Bulls under 300kg were a tough sell, with a greater proportion of these going unsold. Prices of these ranged mainly from €600 to €700/head.
Read more
Mart prices: full sale yard in Ennis meets firm trade
Ringside Comment: numbers rising and prices under more pressure
Camera at the Mart: strong trade for quality stores at Headford
Saturday’s sale at Dowra Mart saw a large entry of cattle on offer as sale numbers are at peak. No sheep were on offer as the sheep sales are now running on a Friday to allow for larger numbers of both sheep and cattle to move through marts. The trade overall was quite steady, with heifers being met with stronger demand than bulls.
Cows
Cull cows were relatively steady, but prices were very dependent on weight and quality. At the top of the market, top-quality heavy cows over 800kg were making over €1.80/kg. The majority of those on offer were store cows, mostly three-quarters finished. These cows were mainly around 700kg to 750kg and were selling for about €900 to €1,000/head. Older cows and light-framed cows were in less demand, with prices ranging mainly from €100 to €200 along with the weight. There were a handful of Friesian cows on offer which sold from €100 under the weight to €375 over the weight for a good-quality slaughter-fit type.
This Simmental cross heifer born April 2018 and weighing 390kg sold for €840 (€2.15/kg).
This Charolais cross heifer born June 2018 and weighing 465kg sold for €900 (€1.94/kg).
This Angus cross heifer born March 2018 and weighing 555kg sold for €1,050 (€1.89/kg).
This Limousin cross heifer born April 2017 and weighing 505kg sold for €1,155 (€2.29/kg).
This Charolais cross bull born June 2019 and weighing 380kg sold for €910 (€2.39/kg).
Heifers
The heifer trade saw plenty of buyers active, and while prices were lower than this time last year, the trade was still much better than expected. Most of the heifers on offer were light stores, but even some of the heavier types were a relatively good trade also. Those over 500kg sold from €1.80/kg for Angus crosses to over €2.25/kg for top-quality continentals suited to feeding or to bull.
Types from 400kg to 450kg sold mainly from €900 to €1,000/head, with top-quality types making over the €1,000/head mark. Heifers from 300kg to 400kg were a fairly steady trade and mainly sold from €700 to €850.
Bulls
Weanling bulls were a little harder sold than heifers, with a lower clearance rate achieved on the day. Bulls over 400kg sold mainly from €850 to €950/head, with the majority around the €900 mark.
This Belgian Blue cross bull born March 2019 and weighing 360kg sold for €710 (€1.97/kg).
This Charolais cross bull born June 2019 and weighing 410kg sold for €910 (€2.22/kg).
This Charolais cross bull born December 2018 and weighing 395kg sold for €880 (€2.23/kg).
Bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €700 to €800, with some making up to €900/head.
Bulls under 300kg were a tough sell, with a greater proportion of these going unsold. Prices of these ranged mainly from €600 to €700/head.
Read more
Mart prices: full sale yard in Ennis meets firm trade
Ringside Comment: numbers rising and prices under more pressure
Camera at the Mart: strong trade for quality stores at Headford
SHARING OPTIONS