The general trade was quite good with plenty of interest from both agents and farmers for quality-type cattle. The story was similar to recent weeks with plainer-type cattle again struggling, but in general, most farmers were happy with prices they received.

Cows

There was a large entry of 120 dry cows which was met with quite a good demand. Farmers are choosing to offload empty cows in an effort to conserve fodder supplies.

Plainer and older cows generally ranged from €1.10/kg to €1.25/kg with feeding cows making between €1.40/kg and €1.70/kg. Heavy top-quality continental cows achieved well over €600 along with the weight with relative ease.

Bullocks

Lighter bullocks from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.25/kg, with top-quality animals making up to €2.60/kg. Quality continental-types over 500kg sold from €700 to €800 over the weight with some exceptional U-grade steers making over the €1,500 mark.

Bulls

Weanling bulls with weights ranging from 250kg to 400kg attracted plenty of interest with plainer types again struggling. Prices ranged mainly from €725 to €1,200/head for quality-types or €2.40/kg to €2.90/kg, with plainer non-continental types struggling to reach beyond the €700 mark.

Heifers

The weanling heifer trade was quite buoyant, with buyers not put off by the recent talk of a fodder shortage in the west and northwest. Top-quality weanlings were generally making between €2.50/kg and €3.05/kg with some making over €1,000. Lighter plainer-types were making anywhere from €1.80/kg to €2.40/kg.

Heavier heifers from 500kg to 600kg were quite plentiful on the day and were met with good demand, with some heifers making from €650-€750 over the weight. Lighter types from 400kg to 500kg made between €500-€700 over.

A special entry of 30 quality continental in-calf heifers were met with a packed ringside. In general, heifers sold from €1,400-€1,700 with top-quality springers making above the €1,800 mark.

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Monday beef prices: strong trade continues