There was a smaller entry of cull cows and calves at Markethill Mart last week, but buying demand remains robust, which is helping to keep a floor on the trade and prices steady.

Fat cows sold to a top price of £1,335 for a 770kg animal, with another 660kg cow making 170p/kg or £1,135.

The main demand for beef cows saw fleshed lots selling from 160p to 170p/kg, with feeding cows making upwards from 135p/kg.

The trade for Friesian cows saw prices of 110p to 130p/kg for good-quality lots carrying flesh. Plainer cows and feeding cows were a steadier trade, selling from 70p to 105p/kg.

Bull calves sold to £375 for a six-week-old Charolais, with £350 paid for a Blue bull calf of similar age.

Heifer calves sold to a peak of £375, again for a six-week-old Charolais calf, with a four-week-old Limousin calf making £345.