If consistency is what you are looking for in cattle this autumn, then Bandon Mart was the place to be for this week’s bullock sale.

With almost 80% of what was on offer between 450kg to 520kg and born between January and March 2016, the sale was described by manager Tom McCarthy as one of the best displays of stores to come through the mart this year.

Numbers were back slightly on last week and Friesians made up 50% of what was on offer.

Prices for Friesians ranged from €1.55/kg up to €1.84/kg, with most sold from €1.60/kg up to €1.70/kg.

Weight for age, movements and Bord Bia eligibility all played a part in determining final prices.

Angus bullocks made up 30% of the sale and, along with Herefords, sold from €1.70/kg for crosses showing a lot of dairy influence up to €2/kg for squarer cattle.

There was a small supply of forward stores and these made from €1.50/kg for Friesians up to €2.10/kg for beef crosses. Continentals were scarce and were mainly crosses from the dairy herd. What was on offer made from €1.90/kg up to €2.10/kg.

Sample 2016-born bullocks prices:

  • Five Friesian, January, 461kg – €805, €1.75/kg.
  • Six Friesian, January, 460kg – €835, €1.82/kg.
  • Three Friesian, January, 523kg – €940, €1.80/kg.
  • Five Angus, March, 460kg – €850, €1.85/kg.
  • Six Hereford, February, 490kg – €950, €1.94/kg.
  • Three Angus, February, 542kg – €1,000, €1.85/kg.
  • Four Angus, April, 477kg – €935, €1.96/kg.
  • Five MRI, February, 520kg – €1,050, €2.02/kg.
  • Four Montbeliarde, January, 511kg – €985, €1.93/kg.
  • Two Belgian Blue, January, 580kg – €1,220, €2.10/kg.
  • Forward stores sample:

  • Two Angus, May 2014, 800kg – €1,450, €1.81/kg.
  • Four Hereford, May 2015, 656kg – €1,225, €1.87/kg.
  • Four Charolais, April 2015, 718kg – €1,385, €1.93/kg.
  • Two Angus, July 2014, 767kg – €1,420, €1.85/kg.
  • Scroll through the images at the top of the page for prices from the sale.

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