There was a good appetite for quality continental weanlings at Ennis Mart’s first sale of the year on Tuesday. Manager Martin McNamara said demand outstripped supply in a relatively small entry of 160 head.

This 335kg Charolais cross heifer born 3 June 2018 sold for €785 (€2.34/kg).

The best demand was for R and U grade weanling bulls and heifers in the 300kg to 380kg weight category, with top prices rising to €2.50/kg to €2.80/kg for bulls and €2.30/kg to €2.60/kg for heifers. Lesser-quality lots sold back to €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg.

This 350kg Limousin cross heifer born 22 February 2018 sold for €925 (€2.64/kg).

An entry of good-quality Angus heifers weighing from 230kg to 280kg sold from €1.65/kg to €1.75/kg, while bulls from the same farm weighing 280kg to 300kg sold from €2.00/kg to €2.08/kg.

This Limousin cross bull weighing 395kg and born 20 May 2018 sold for €960 (€2.43/kg).

Heavier good-quality Charolais bulls weighing 380kg to 440kg sold from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg, with a small number exceeding this range, while plainer-quality similar-weight bulls sold from €2.00/kg to €2.15/kg.

This Charolais cross bull weighing 345kg and born 6 April 2018 sold for €930 (€2.70/kg).

Sheep sales resumed strongly, with lambs weighing 50kg to 56kg selling from €117 to €125, while lots weighing 44kg to 46kg sold from €105 to 108.

A small entry of one-month-old calves met good demand, with Angus and Hereford calves selling from €250 to €320, while a few Holstein bulls sold from €80 to €95.

This Limousin cross bull weighing 455kg and born 5 November 2017 sold for €980 (€2.15/kg).

Commission rates are 1.4% to the seller to a maximum of €14 for single lot entries and €9.55 to the buyer.

This 350kg Charolais cross bullock born 14 April 2018 sold for €840 (€2.40/kg).