Good-quality continental cattle of all weights were a brisk trade in Kilrush Mart with a marked increase in recent months in demand for good-quality cattle.

Manager Martin McNamara says this has been a trend across all Clare Marts sales yards this year with buyers coming from further south to source suckler-bred cattle. This drove demand across all weight classes, with demand from live exporters for weanling bulls also helping to insert more competition into the trade.

A Limousin heifer weighing 440kg and born May 2016 sold for €990 (€2.25/kg).

A Limousin heifer weighing 440kg and born May 2016 sold for €990 (€2.25/kg).

Good-quality weanling bulls weighing 300kg to 380kg sold from €2.50/kg to €2.80/kg, with the best-quality types rising to €3/kg. Good-quality Herefords weighing 280kg to 340kg sold from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg, with a small selection selling back to €2/kg.

There was a small number of Friesian bulls on offer weighing from 280kg to 330kg with prices also variable depending on quality. The poorest quality lots sold from €390 to €440, with the best quality types rising to €500 to €550.

Heavier continental bullocks weighing 450kg to 500kg sold from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg on average with some top quality heavier lots weighing over 600kg selling from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg.

This young February 2014-born Shorthorn dry cow weighing 625kg sold for €1,160 (€1.86/kg).

This young February 2014-born Shorthorn dry cow weighing 625kg sold for €1,160 (€1.86/kg).

There was a similar trend for heifers. Good-quality continental heifers weighing 300kg to 380kg sold from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg on average with Hereford heifers selling from €2/kg upwards. Heavier continental heifers weighing 400kg to 450kg sold from €2.25/kg to €2.40/kg on average with plainer quality lots back to €2.10/kg.

The strong trade for dry cows continues with the best quality R and U grade continental cows selling from €1.80/kg to €2.10/kg. Aged and plainer quality suckler-bred feeding cows sold from €1.50/kg to €1.70/kg with heavy slaughter-fit Friesian cows selling from €1.40/kg to €1.55/kg. Light Friesian cows with a poor cover of flesh sold from €1/kg to €1.20/kg.

This Friesian heifer calf born April 2018 sold for €110.

This Friesian heifer calf born April 2018 sold for €110.

The calf trade is holding steady with numbers following a seasonal decline. A small number of Friesian bull calves sold from €80 to €120 with the majority of calves on offer Angus- and Hereford-bred. Hereford calves sold from €150 to €300 with age and quality dictating prices. The majority of Angus calves on offer were light, plain calves bred from crossbred cows. Prices ranged from €30 to €80, with the best calves selling to €100.