A smaller entry of sucklers and store cattle at Kilrea Mart helped to underpin at Wednesday’s sale, resulting in a sharp trade for quality stock.

Fat cows have seen growing demand for specialist finishers in recent weeks and this week was no different, with an 860kg Charolais cow making £1,505.

Slaughter-fit cows regularly sold to beyond 190p/kg, with feeding cows selling from 164p to 180p/kg for continental types.

Suckler cows with calves at foot sold to £1,500 for a Limousin with a Charolais heifer calf at foot. The general trade for suckler outfits was £1,215 to £1,460, with springing heifers selling to £1,210.

Store heifers sold to £1,310 for a 610kg Angus animal. Forward stores sold from £1,020 to £1,270 depending on weight and quality. Lighter heifers sold from £775 to £1,050 for continental types weighing 350kg to 480kg.

Bullocks peaked at £1,315 and forward types sold from £1,190 to £1,280 for continental and Angus sired animals.

Mid-weight stores generally sold from £900 to just over the £1,000 mark, with lighter animals under 400kg selling upwards from 700kg.