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Camera at the Mart attended the general cattle at Ballymena Mart on Friday of last week. There was another solid entry of cattle across all sale rings, with an increased turnout of buyers buoyed by improved grazing conditions.
Mart manager Sam McNabney commented on the trade, stating that prices are on the rise as competition for cattle has intensified and all classes of stock are benefitting as a result.
He added that good-quality cattle are an easy sell at present, regardless of whether they are weanlings or forward stores.
In the calf ring, demand for good-quality beef-sired animals has been exceptionally strong all winter and last week’s sale was no different.
A strong presence of cattle agents around the sale ring resulted in fierce bidding on continental calves between one and two months of age, with one-month-old Holstein bull calves a difficult sell.
Prices reached a peak of £445 for an outstanding Charolais bull calf born in early March.
That was followed by several Belgian Blue bull calves which sold from £350 to £390, depending on calf quality and size.
Limousin bull calves were also a super trade, making similar prices to Blue calves, with red animals selling to higher prices than black calves.
Stand-out prices saw Limousin bulls making £250 to £300 for calves born in February and March.
Angus bull calves were a mixed trade and prices were reflective of quality.
One-month-old Angus bull calves sold from £170 to £210, with stronger calves selling upwards towards £300. Hereford bulls sold to just over £200 per head.
Heifer calves were a sharp trade. Charolais heifer calves born in late January were in demand, with prices of £330 to £350 paid on numerous occasions.
Belgian Blue heifer calves were also met with brisk bidding, especially on stronger animals born in January and February, with prices of £320 to £380 on offer.
Young calves born in March sold upwards from £200.
Angus heifers born in February sold upwards from £200, with £280 to £290 on offer at the upper end of the market.
Limousin heifers sold at similar prices, with Herefords making £180 to £240.
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