Monday evening’s weanling sale at Elphin Mart saw a strong trade for weanlings, with prices improved on the previous week.

Heavy feeding bulls were met with strong demand from agents and feedlot buyers, who were mostly in search of better-quality U grade bulls or bulls that would feed into a U or E grade. Prices of these over 450kg ranged mainly from €1,150 to €1,250, but some better-quality types sold for over this.

The majority of bulls on offer were nice-quality Charolais and Limousin types, with most farmer buyers paying top prices for better-quality Charolais bulls. Prices of these from 300kg to 400kg ranged mainly from €800 to €950/head. However, there were some plainer types that sold for less than this.

Demand for heifer weanlings is still not as strong as it is for bulls, but there was more bite in Monday’s sale all the same. The average 300kg to 400kg heifer sold from €720 to €850, with better-quality types making around €900. Light weanling heifers were improved, but still lag a little behind the equivalent bull.

The cull cow trade was steady to slightly improved, with the best demand for short-keep cows. Feeding cows sold mainly from €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg.

Commission rates are €1.8% to the seller and €9 to the buyer.