Camera at the mart was at last Monday’s sale at Castleisland Mart. Mart manager David White said that there was a very good trade for weanlings and, as it was a special weanling sale, the quality of stock on offer was very strong.

He added that the trade for young runner calves was also very good. Farmers were the main drivers of the trade for all good-quality runners.

In all, there was an entry of about 700 head of cattle at the sale. David said that bull prices may have been back by €30 to €40 on the same week last year, but, in the main, farmers were happy with the trade.

ADVERTISEMENT

David said that the heifer trade was stronger than the trade for bulls and, as a result, prices were solid.

In terms of prices, light weanling bulls from 250kg to 300kg sold mainly from €500 to €580 along with the weight for average-type heifers.

Heavier heifer weanlings from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €550 to €600 along with the weight, or from €850 to €1,020. Heavier heifers were a solid trade and sold mainly at similar prices to lighter types, with the majority making from €500 to €600 along with the weight. David said that farmers were the main buyers for heifers on the day.

Weanling bull prices, although back slightly on the same sale last year, were still brisk. Light bulls under 300kg sold mainly from €700 to €900, with exporters quite active.

The main run of bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold from €550 to €620 over the weight for good-quality types. Heavier bulls over 400kg were met with firm feeder demand also.

Forward bulls sold from €2.20/kg to €2.50/kg, while those from 400kg to 450kg made from €550 to €650 over the weight.

The trade for runner calves was very brisk at the sale. There were 200 or so on offer and all were met with strong farmer demand. The majority were strong, weaned calves and the prices reflected the quality on offer.

Herefords sold mainly from €350 to €450, with Angus calves making similar prices. Continental calves were a very strong trade and commanded high prices. Simmental and Charolais calves sold frequently from €450 to €550, with the tops making up to €700.

Commission rates are 1.5% to the seller and €9 to the buyer.