Heavy and short-keep bullocks saw an increase in demand and prices at Balla Mart on Saturday.

Average-quality bullocks over 600kg sold mainly from 2.10/kg to 2.20/kg, up about 10c/kg on last week. The top third saw an even greater improvement in prices and sold mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg, backed by strong feeder activity.

Forward store bullocks from 500kg to 600kg saw a slight improvement in average prices also, with the average bullock selling from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg. The number of bullocks on offer in that weight group was slightly higher than last week also.

This Charolais-cross bullock born April 2018 and weighing 670kg sold for €1,650 (€2.46/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock born April 2018 and weighing 670kg sold for €1,490 (€2.22/kg).

This Angus-cross bullock born January 2018 and weighing 530kg sold for €1,055 (€1.99/kg).

This Limousin-cross bullock born February 2019 and weighing 480kg sold for €1,280 (€2.66/kg).

This Limousin-cross bullock born April 2018 and weighing 425kg sold for €1,070 (€2.52/kg).

This Charolais-cross bull born May 2019 and weighing 300kg sold for €620 (€2.07/kg).

However, stores from 400kg to 500kg were back slightly on last week, with prices averaging at €2.30/kg or €1,035 for 450kg. The top third in terms of quality were met with a steady trade on last week at €2.40/kg. Limousin and Charolais cattle were met with the strongest demand and generally sold for €2.42/kg to €2.43/kg.

Weanling bulls were back a touch on last week, but overall the trade was very strong. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg for average bulls, with the top third making over €2.80/kg. Bulls over 400kg sold mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.45/kg on average, with the top third making over €2.65/kg.

This Limousin-cross heifer born May 2019 and weighing 290kg sold for €800 (€2.76/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer born May 2018 and weighing 490kg sold for €1,230 (€2.51/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer born June 2017 and weighing 585kg sold for €1,420 (€2.43/kg).

This Charolais-cross heifer born April 2019 and weighing 435kg sold for €1,075 (€2.47/kg).

This Charolais-cross heifer born May 2017 and weighing 665kg sold for €1,650 (€2.48/kg).

This Charolais-cross heifer born May 2019 and weighing 320kg sold for €850 (€2.65/kg).

Heavy heifers were a strong trade, although some plainer types were a little easier bought than last week. Good-quality heavy heifers sold mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg and to over €2.40/kg at times. There were some plainer types on offer also, which sold for around €2.00/kg.

Forward stores over 500kg sold mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for good continentals, with top-quality heifers selling to over €2.40/kg at times.

Heifers from 400kg to 500kg sold for €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for average types, with the top third making over €2.50/kg.

Weanling heifers from 300kg to 400kg sold for €2.50/kg on average, with the top third making over €2.75/kg; both of these prices were back slightly on last week. Heifers from 200kg to 300kg sold mainly from €2.60/kg to €2.80/kg for average types and for €3.15/kg on average for the top third, both up on last week.

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In pictures: 400-500kg stores average over €2/kg in Birr

Ringside Comment: short-keep cattle in demand at marts