Grass buyers were out in force in Bandon this week, putting a solid floor under prices for 2018-born bullocks. Prices for lighter stores of between 300kg and 400kg ranged from€1.90/kg to €2.20/kg. This price range applied to both traditional beef breed crosses and continentals from the dairy herd. Light Friesian stores traded for between €1.45/kg and €1.71/kg.

These March 2017-born Limousin bullocks weighed 585kg and sold for €1,330 (€2.27/kg).

Forward stores

Finishers and feeders were again active for forward store bullock over 500kg. Angus and Herefords made from €1.80/kg up to €2.02/kg while continentals were pulling in slightly more, with up to €2.30/kg available for the stronger types with suckler breeding.

This group of March 2018-born bullocks had an average weight of 373kg and made €785 (€2.11/kg).

These March 2012-born bullocks weighed 1,027kg and sold for €1,600 (€1.56/kg).

Cows

Cow prices remained steady, with the vast majority of the 100 or so cull Friesian cows trading for between €1.20/kg and €1.35/kg, with level of fat cover was one of the main price determinants.

This cow weighing 720kg sold for €970 (€1.35/kg).

Sample prices

2017-born bullocks

  • Five Belgian Blues, April , 595kg – €1,250 (€2.10/kg).
  • Two Hereford, Feb, 520kg – €1,050 (€2.02/kg).
  • One Friesian, Feb, 610kg – €1,000 (€1.64/kg).
  • Three Angus, April, 596kg – €1,175 (€1.97/kg).

    • These March 2017-born bullocks weighed 648kg and sold for €1,395 (€2.15/kg).

    2018 born bullocks

  • Six Friesian, March, 380kg – €650 (€1.71/kg).
  • Four Angus, April, 335kg – €710 (€2.12/kg).
  • Four Limousin, Feb, 421kg – €880 (€2.09/kg).
  • Three Hereford, March, 441kg – €890 (€2.02/kg).