An entry of 411 cattle were brought forward for sale last week at Rathfriland Farmers Co-op. Trade was solid, with good demand for quality animals.

The top price was £1,350 for a 700kg Charolais bullock. The heifer trade peaked at £1,140 for a 628kg Limousin. Weanlings sold to £925 for a 454kg Limousin with 280kg to 360kg weanlings selling from £670/head to £810/head.

In the bullock ring, 166 animals were offered for sale. Good quality continentals sold from £1.68/kg to £1.94/kg for heavily fleshed cattle suitable for killing. Bullocks suitable for intensive feeding weighing 560kg to 640kg sold from £1.82/kg to £1.94/kg. Store bullocks weighing 490kg to 500kg sold well at £1.90/kg to £2/kg.

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A small entry of Friesian bullocks sold from £720/head to £920/head for 550kg to 590kg animals. Friesians weighing 400kg to 490kg sold from £630/head to £700/head.

In the heifer ring, animals weighing 540kg to 640kg sold from £940 to £1,090. Heifers weighing 410kg to 460kg sold from £740 to £850 with lighter animals from 350kg to 400kg selling from £645 to £740.

Drop calves sold to £440 for a Simmental bull calf. Shorthorn heifer calves sold for £260 and £370 each. Simmental calves sold in general from £195 to £270. Hereford calves sold from £210 to £300, with Angus calves making £170 to £385. Friesian calves sold for £130.