There was a large entry of cattle on offer at last Saturday’s general sale at Dowra Mart. There was strong demand for all types of bullocks, even plainer lots. Angus bullocks over 480kg sold for around the €2.00/kg mark or slightly under, depending on quality, with Herefords and plain continentals a similar trade.

This Charolais-cross cow, born 2011 and weighing 870kg, sold for €1,485 (€1.71/kg).

Better-quality heavier continentals were met with strong demand and prices ranged mainly from €700 to €800 with the weight for better-quality types. Slightly plainer types sold from €600 over the weight and upwards. Lighter bullocks from 400kg to 500kg were a good trade, with plenty of buyers present for these.

This Charolais-cross cow, born 2010 and weighing 670kg, sold for €1,060 (€1.74/kg).

The heifer trade was brisk for all types over 500kg, with 600kg-plus heifers making €1,200 to €1,300 with ease where the quality was good. Those under 500kg sold mainly from €1,100 to €1,250/head. Herefords from 400kg to 450kg sold mainly from €1.85/kg to €2.00/kg, with quality having an impact on prices.

This Charolais-cross heifer, born January 2018 and weighing 425kg, sold for €1,070 (€2.52/kg).

Weanling heifers from 300kg to 400kg sold from €750 to €850 and up to €900 at times. Feeding cows from 600kg to 700kg sold from €350 to €420 with the weight. Older and plainer cows sold from €250 over the weight and higher, but some poor-quality cows struggled to make €100 over the weight.

This Charolais-cross bullock, born May 2017 and weighing 590kg, sold for €1,410 (€2.39/kg).

Commission rates are €9 to the buyer and 2% to the seller.

This Charolais-cross bullock, born May 2017 and weighing 595kg, sold for €1,335 (€2.24/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock, born October 2017 and weighing 510kg, sold for €1,300 (€2.55/kg).