Camera at the mart attended the weekly cattle sale in Swatragh Mart on Monday. There was a smaller more-seasonal offering of cattle on offer which came on the back of extremely high throughput during February.

Sale numbers are normally slower at this time of year, as farmers become preoccupied with calving and lambing.

That said, cattle quality was excellent, with a terrific entry of continental-type heifers suitable for grazing and finishing next autumn, as well as making suckler replacements.

The smaller entry had a positive effect on the sale, as limited numbers helped to underpin demand, with buyers being more competitive in order to secure animals.

Mart manager Paul Coyle commented on the sale, saying that lighter store cattle have been a terrific trade in recent weeks and buying demand remains firm for these animals.

Topping the trade on the day was a 592kg Limousin bullock which sold for £1,175, making 198p/kg. This was followed by £1,050 paid for another Limousin animal weighing 508kg, which made 207p/kg.

Bullocks were limited in numbers, but mid-weight animals were a solid trade. Charolais types sold to £960 for a 450kg animal, or 213p/kg.

Limousin types weighing 400kg to 500kg sold to £970 for a 466kg animal or 208p/kg, with lighter types under 400kg making £730 to £830 for a 336kg Limousin animal which sold for 247p/kg.

Heifers forwarded for sale were of excellent quality, with some exceptional animals on offer. Prices reached a peak of £945 for a 456kg Aberdeen Angus animal, making 207p/kg. Other Angus lots sold to £750 for lighter types.

Continental types sold to £900 for a Limousin animal weighing 490kg, or 183p/kg. Other noted prices saw a 452kg Limousin sell to £850, or 188p/kg, with £840 paid on a 456kg Limousin animal which made 184p/kg. Lighter store heifers under 400kg were a solid trade, with a 374kg Limousin heifer selling for £825, or 220p/kg.

Other noted prices saw Limousin types weighing 300kg to 350kg selling from upwards of £690 to £845, with a general price range of 230p/kg to 241p/kg.

Heifers under 300kg sold to £615 for a 290kg Limousin animal, or 237p/kg, with plainer types making 190p to 200p/kg.

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