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.

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.

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.

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.

Commission rates are 1.4% to the seller to a maximum of €13 for singles and 1.2% to a maximum of €11 for doubles, and €9 to the buyer.