Last Tuesday evening’s weanling sale at Roscommon Mart saw a slightly larger entry of about 30 pens of bulls and heifers on offer.

Mart manager Maura Quigley said that the trade was brisk, with slightly improved buyer activity at the sale and higher prices than the previous week.

The quality of weanlings on offer was the main driver of the strong trade, with farmers and agents actively sourcing all types.

Maura said that numbers have fallen off considerably in the past two weeks, which is common at this stage of the year.

In terms of demand, farmer buyers were the main source of demand and the driving force behind the sale.

Exporter activity remains very low and it is evident that a market is needed for plain-quality calves.

Weanlings

The weanling bull trade was slightly stronger than the weanling heifer trade and the majority of top-quality bulls sold from €2.45/kg to €3.42/kg at the top of the market.

Heavy bulls over 400kg were a strong trade once again and sold for up to €1,200 for a 445kg Charolais, while others sold from €1,100 upwards.

Those from 300kg to 400kg were a very strong trade also, with plenty of better-quality bulls making from €850 to €950/head. There were noticeably more top-quality bulls making over €3.00/kg at the top of the trade than last week.

There were very few plainer bulls on offer, which helped keep prices high. Lighter bulls from 200kg to 300kg were not that plentiful and sold mainly from €700 to €750/head.

The weanling heifer trade was very strong also, although prices were not quite as high as the equivalent bull. Heavy heifers over 400kg sold to over €1,000/head, while the majority of better-quality types from 300kg to 400kg sold from €2.40/kg to €2.70/kg. There were more light heifers under 300kg on offer than bulls but demand for these was strong also and prices ranged mainly from €650 to €720/head.

Demand

Last Friday’s cattle sale saw very strong demand from farmers for all heifers with breeding potential, which was a boost for the trade.

The Christmas bonanza special sale of weanlings takes place at the mart on Tuesday 5 December.

Commission rates are 1.9% to the seller and €10 to the buyer.

This Charolais cross bull, born March 2018 and weighing 425kg, sold for €1,200 (€2.82/kg).

This Limousin-cross bull, born June 2018 and weighing 295kg, sold for €830 (€2.81/kg).

This Limousincross weanling bull, born January 2018 and weighing 320k,g sold for €915 (€2.86/kg).

This pair of Charolais-cross weanling bulls, born May and July 2018 and weighing 360kg, sold for €935 each (€2.60/kg).

This Limousin-cross bull, born May 2018 and weighing 320kg, sold for €850 (€2.65/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer, born February 2018 and weighing 340kg, sold for €850 (€2.50/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer, born February 2018 and weighing 355kg, sold for €900 (€2.55/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer, born March 2018 and weighing 316kg, sold for €845 (€2.67/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer, born March 2018 and weighing 335kg, sold for €1,030 (€3.07/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer, born April 2018 and weighing 370kg, sold for €800 (€2.16/kg).

This Limousin-cross bull, born April 2018 and weighing 335kg sold for €800 (€2.39/kg).