While numbers have been declining gradually in recent weeks, Killmallock Mart in Co Limerick still had a strong entry of 1,050 head in last Monday’s sale.

Denis Kirby of Golden Vale Marts said recent rainfall and the prospect of a resurgence in grass growth rates attracted more buyers to the ring.

This Hereford-cross heifer calf born 12 May 2019 sold for €350.

A good percentage of steers and heifers on offer were Angus and Hereford lots comprising a mixture of spring 2018-born and spring 2017-born lots.

Nice-quality Hereford bullocks weighing 380kg to 440kg averaged €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg, with Angus-cross lots rising to, and in cases exceeding, the €2/kg mark.

This Belgian Blue-cross heifer calf born 24 April 2019 sold for €370.

Heifers followed a similar price trend. Continental types attracted more interest, with good R and potentially U grading types rising to €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg, while a selection of top-quality lots breached the €2.50/kg mark.

The positive start to the year was reflected in the condition of stock on offer, with some 2017-born lots presented close to or slaughter-fit.

This Belgian Blue-cross bull calf born 3 April 2019 sold for €495.

Many of these heifers were in the 480kg to 520kg weight range and, again, sold from €1.80/kg to €2.05/kg, with Angus lots shading Herefords on price. Plainer-quality types with a lot of Friesian or crossbreeding coming through that would struggle to grade sold in cases back to €1.70/kg.

This Simmental-cross bull calf born 14 May 2019 sold for €250.

Live exporters continue to insert a strong floor in the calf market. Denis reported firm appetite for an entry of about 400 calves, with farmer buyers adding competition.

This Angus-cross heifer calf born 1 May 2019 sold for €175.

Friesian bull calves sold from €60 to €110 on average, with some aged lots selling to €160 to €180. Lighter Angus heifers sold from €130 to €150 upwards, with good-quality calves selling as high as €300. There was an equally wide differential for Hereford calves, depending on quality, with strong calves selling from €270 to €350. Continental calves sold in general to €400 with some reared bulls to €490.

This Limousin-cross bullock, born May 2018 and weighing 395kg, sold for €945 (€2.39/kg).

The boost in grass supplies is also helping the cow trade. Straight Friesian feeding types sold from €1/kg to €1.20/kg for younger lots, while slaughter-fit Friesian cows sold to €1.30/kg and a little higher for heavy O grading lots. Beef-sired cows sold on average from €1.20/kg to €1.50/kg.

This Angus-cross bullock, born May 2018 and weighing 435kg, sold for €885 (€2.03/kg).

Commission rates are 1.5% to the seller. Buyer rates start at €4 for calves, rising to €9+ for cattle.

This Hereford-cross bullock, born February 2018 and weighing 395kg, sold for €750 (€1.90/kg).

This Limousin-cross bullock, born August 2017 and weighing 575kg, sold for €1,245 (€2.16/kg).

This Angus-cross heifer, born March 2017 and weighing 520kg, sold for €1,055 (€2.03/kg).

This Belgian Blue-cross heifer, born September 2017 and weighing 455kg, sold for €1,150 (€2.53/kg).

This Angus-Friesian-cross bullock, born December 2016 and weighing 697kg, sold for €1,185 (€1.70/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock, born April 2017 and weighing 565kg, was bid to €1,180 (€2.09/kg) but not sold.

This Hereford-cross bullock, born June 2017 and weighing 500kg, sold for €900 (€1.80/kg).

This Hereford-cross bullock, born February 2017 and weighing 740kg, sold for €1,370 ( €1.85/kg).

This Hereford-cross heifer, born March 2017 and weighing 490kg, sold for €880 (€1.80/kg).

This Hereford-cross heifer, born April 2018 and weighing 445kg, sold for €850 (€1.91/kg).

This Hereford cross bull calf, born 12 May 19, sold for €350.