Last Thursday’s general cattle sale in GVM Tullamore Mart included an entry of about 185 bullocks and 140 heifers.

Manager Antoinette Daly reported a recovery in demand, with more farmers purchasing young store cattle to go back to grass next spring.

Slaughter-fit or forward-store bullocks were a relatively good trade, with factory agents and specialised finishers active.

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Heavy O grading Friesian, Angus and Hereford bullocks weighing 600+kg sold on average from €1.90/kg to €2.05/kg. R grades sold to €2.20/kg, with a selection of top-quality U grading Charolais and Limousin bullocks selling to €2.35/kg.

There was a similar price trend for forward-store bullocks weighing 570kg upwards.

Lighter 2014-born stores suitable to go back to grass sold from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg for average-quality O grading lots, with better-quality R/U grading continental bullocks selling to a top of €2.45/kg to €2.60/kg.

Heifers met a similar trade, with brisk demand in particular for young, slaughter-fit butcher-type heifers.

As evident from the photos, good-quality continental heifers sold on average from €2.25/kg to €2.40/kg, with the highest-quality lots rising to €2.50/kg and higher for lighter heifers less than 400kg.

Commenting on Monday night’s weanling sale, Antoinette reported a significant rise in the number of farmers buying.

This led to keen competition, with prices for good-quality continental weanling bulls and heifers rising by €50 to €70/head.

Commission rates are €10 the buyer and €14 to €16 to the seller.