Last Thursday’s general cattle sale at Ballymahon Mart saw over 550 cattle on offer, which met a steady trade. Of those, about 300 were bullocks and about 190 were heifers. The trade for heavy bullocks was strong and steady once again, with the majority of those over 600kg selling from €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg and up to €2.15/kg for better-quality types. Plainer-quality black Limousin, Hereford and Angus-cross bullocks sold mainly from €1.70/kg upwards.

Bullocks from 500kg to 600kg were a better trade, with the top third selling from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg, while prices averaged at about €2.15/kg or €1,180/head.

Stores from 400kg to 500kg were a steady trade. Like recent weeks, the quality on offer was the main factor affecting prices. At the top of the market, top-quality stores were selling from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg, but average-quality types were selling from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg.

The heifer trade saw steady demand, but prices were not quite as high as the equivalent bullock trade and plainer types were slower to sell.

Heifers from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €1.95/kg to €2.05/kg, while top-quality types sold to over €2.20/kg. Stores from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.40/kg at the upper end of the trade. Commission rates are €18 to the seller and €10 to the buyer.