Tuesday’s sale at Ardee Mart saw another good entry of stock on offer. Mart manager James Shannon said that numbers on offer are starting to decline, but the trade remains steady for almost all types of cattle.

In terms of prices, he said that the quality of the cattle on offer is having a huge impact on prices.

There was a good entry of cull cows on offer. Quality was the main driver of prices, with plenty of buyers present for better-quality types and those carrying flesh.

Better-quality short-keep cows carrying flesh sold mainly from €1,100 to €1,300, while lesser-quality cows sold mainly for around €1,000.

Heavy bullocks over 550kg were scarce, but where on offer prices of €700 to €800 over the weight were common.

Those from 450kg to 550kg sold mainly from €450 to €550 over the weight for plainer-quality and Friesian types.

Weanling bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €500 to €550 along with the weight, while lighter types under 300kg sold from €600 to €700/head.

There was a good entry of store heifers on offer, with the majority of those from €950 to €1,150/head. Light weanling heifers from 250kg to 350kg sold mainly from €650 to €750 per head.