The main camera at the mart was at last Saturday’s general weanling sale at Ballinasloe Mart.

Mart manager Eilish Curley said that they had a good entry of approximately 400 bulls and 390 heifers. She said that there was solid demand for both bulls and heifers. However, she added that while there is a good trade for good-quality animals, the plainer weanlings and store cattle continue to be a harder sell at the ringside.

In terms of last Saturday’s sale, light weanling bulls under 300kg were met with strong demand from both farmers and exporters. The top price for light bulls was €3.45/kg, which was paid for a top-quality Charolais which sold for €920.

Eilish said that exporters were particularly active for bulls under 300kg, which helped the trade, but farmer competition was very strong also. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.60/kg, with the top third making from €2.60/kg to €2.90/kg.

Demand for heavy bulls was not quite as strong and prices reflected this.

The heifer trade was fairly strong, again backed by firm farmer demand. Heifers under 300kg made from €2.60/kg to €2.80/kg mainly, with top-quality types making up to €3.57/kg, which was paid for a top quality 140kg heifer calf.

Heifers from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg. The same trade was evident in heifers. The lighter they were, the better the trade. Store heifers around 380kg to 400kg sold mainly from €2.15/kg to €2.30/kg.

There was a good entry of in-calf cows and cows with calves at foot on offer also. In total, about 40 passed through the ring.

Eilish said that prices of €1,500 to a top of €1,730 were paid for the better-quality and younger cows. She said that the closer the cows and heifers were to calving, the strong the price also.

The in-calf cows sold for an average price of €1,130, while those with calves at foot had an average sale price of €1,270, with a maximum of €1,750 paid. Commission rates are 1.75% to the seller for singles and 1.5% for doubles, with an entry fee of €1.27/head, which is refundable if the animal is unsold. Commission to the buyer is €9 for cattle and €10 for sucklers.