Last Thursday’s sale at Ballymahon Mart saw a strong entry of close to 480 cattle on offer. Numbers are still holding strong, as is demand, with price running slightly ahead of the previous week.

Heavy bullocks over 600kg were not that common and prices were on par with the previous week.

The average 600kg bullock sold for €2.05/kg or €1,230 for 600kg, while the top third were met with good demand and sold at a steady trade for €2.36/kg or €1,430/head.

The top price on the day was €1,470, which was paid for a top-quality Limousin-cross bullock.

Forward-store bullocks from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.45/kg, which was up by €50/head on the previous week.

Better-quality forward stores were met with very strong farmer demand, according to mart manager John O’Hanlon, and prices of these ranged from €2.55/kg to €2.65/kg or €1,400 to €1,460 for 550kg.

The best demand was for lighter store bullocks from 400kg to 500kg. The average 450kg continental bullock sold mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg for R grades, with Charolais and Limousin types being met with the best demand.

Better-quality U grades sold from €2.65/kg to €2.75/kg or up to €1,240 for top-quality types.

The heifer trade was not quite as strong as the bullock trade, but there were plenty of buyers present for all types of heifers. Store heifers from 500kg to 600kg sold from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality R grades, with better-quality heifers selling for over €2.45/kg. Top-quality heifers in that weight range sold for up to €1,480/head.

Lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg were met with strong farmer demand once again, similar to bullocks.

Prices for average-quality heifers sold from €2.25/kg to €2.35/kg. The top third of heifers in the same weight range sold mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg. Demand for weanling bulls and heifers was very strong. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €2.50/kg to €2.70/kg, with top-quality types making close to €3.00/kg. Heifers were a similar trade, with prices of average-quality types ranging mainly from €2.45/kg to €2.55/kg and to over €2.80/kg for top-quality heifers.

Commission rates are €18 to the seller and €10 to the buyer.