Scarriff Mart in Co Clare hosted a special bull weanling sale on Saturday last, attracting over 280 bulls. The sale was met with very strong demand from farmers resulting in a 98% clearance rate. The special sale had a number of rosettes awarded in the pre-sale show and the weanling heifers will take centre stage for this weekend coming.

This March 2020 born Limousin weighed 355kg and sold for €840 (€2.37/kg)

Mart manager Martin McNamarra said: “There was very strong demand by farmers, with lighter lesser lots being bought by shippers. We had a predominantly farmer-type calf, real storish, from continental bulls.”

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This Charolais born 20 February 2020 weighed 340kg and sold for €950 (€2.79/kg)

The high clearance rate was met with an overall strong demand with a lot of store-type cattle hitting €2.80/kg and over. These lighter stores were mostly picked up by farmers and weighed between 270kg and 310kg, with a lot of early spring weanlings starting to show. One spring-born Charolais bull calf weighed 300kg and sold for €3.33/kg or €1,000. Securing the top price per kg was a 315kg Charolais bull calf which sold for €3.49/kg (€1,100).

This Limousin born April of this year weighted 270kg and sold for €750 (€2.78/kg)

Those stronger or more forward type of weanling also met a lively demand with a number of farmer buyers securing them for bull beef. While prices were back per kg, prices were still exceeding €1,100 to €1,200.

This pair of Charolais bulls born in January weighed 295kg and sold for €890 (€3.02/kg)

This Belgian Blue born in March weighed 265kg and sold for €850 (€3.21/kg)