Tuesday’s weanling sale at Balla Mart saw another good entry of over 500 bulls and heifers on offer. Mart manager Michael Murphy said that the trade was very strong once again, with no fall-off in the quality of calves on offer.

There was a good number of heavier bulls over 450kg on offer and these were a steady trade. Some well-muscled Belgian Blue bulls on offer, which were sold from €1,300 upwards. Other feeding bulls in the same weight range sold mainly from €1,000 to €1,150/head depending on quality.

The better-quality Charolais bulls were met with the most demand from farmers and agents and were an easy sell as a result, selling mainly from €900 to €1,000 for 320kg to 380kg. Good-quality Limousin bulls were not far behind, with the majority of these making over €900. Plainer-quality and light bulls were a little more of a mixed trade. Those under 250kg were a slower sell, fetching mainly from €600 to €700/head. The heifer trade mirrored the bulls. Good-quality heifers over 320kg were a strong trade, with many better-quality heifers selling for over €900/head, similar to bulls. Top-quality heavier heifers made over €1,000/head. Average-quality types in the same weight range sold mainly from €750 to €850. Commission rates are 2% to the seller and €9 to the buyer with an entry fee of €2/head.