Camera at the mart attended the weekly cattle sale in Keady Mart on Friday last. There was a smaller entry of cattle forwarded for sale in comparison with previous weeks.

This brings sale numbers into line with seasonal trends and tighter numbers are to be expected after a busy spring period, with exceptionally strong throughput of livestock numbers week on week.

However, while sale numbers were limited, cattle quality was excellent and was reflected in the prices being paid. Buyers are still competing strongly for forward cattle on the back of a solid beef trade.

Mart manager Brendan Reavey commented on the sale, saying that cattle prices remain strong for both heavy fleshed and lighter store cattle.

He added that good-quality cattle are an easy sell, with plenty of buyers on hand. There is a similar market trend for lighter store animals, which are returning some exceptionally firm prices.

A sizeable entry of bullocks saw prices reach a peak of £1,560 for a 780kg Charolais animal, which was matched later in the sale for another Charolais weighing 800kg.

Heavy fleshed and slaughter-fit bullocks were a flying trade. Fierce competition among specialist finishers saw prices regularly pass the £1,400 mark. Demand for continental types weighing 650kg to 750kg generally returned prices of £1,410 to £1,490.

Plainer types and traditional beef breeds were a solid trade, with prices typically ranging from £1,240 to £1,465, with cattle quality being heavily reflected in sale price.

Mid-weight stores suited to grazing saw prices of £1,040 to £1,160 for good-quality animals weighing 480kg to 550kg. Plainer types at similar weights sold upwards from £900.

Lighter stores were a brisk trade, with strong bidding competition seeing prices of £860 to £1,020 for cattle weighing 390kg to 470kg.

Fat and store heifers were limited, but, similar to bullocks, cattle quality was good and helped to underpin prices.

Prices peaked at £1,300 for a 625kg Charolais animal that was slaughter-fit. Other noted prices for forward heifers were £1,135 for a 555kg Charolais animal, with slightly plainer animals at similar weights selling to £1,065.

Mid-weight heifers were a solid trade selling from £900 to £1,060.