There was a good display of cattle at the Skibbereen annual fatstock show and sale on Friday last. Manager Tom McCarthy said: “There was a good display of cattle with very competitive classes, particularly with the heifers. Bullock classes were slacker, but that’s down to demand for bull weanlings last year.”

The butcher class was the standout. The winner was a fine Belgian Blue heifer weighing 540kg which sold for €2,450 (€4.54/kg).

Tom added: “General trade has picked up in the last few weeks. I see more farmers buying, lads trying to fill a few pens. Cattle are looking very well coming in off the fields. Traditional beef breeds are up 10c to 20c/kg on a month or so ago. They’re nearly back up closer to €2/kg again and that’s probably because there is a bit of a lift in factory prices at the moment.”

In the general sale, Friesian bullocks made from €250 to €475 with their weight. Traditional beef breeds were selling for between €1.80/kg and €2.00kg, with continental bullocks making up to €2.20/kg. Cows were a solid trade. Fleshed cows were as good as they have been all year. Forward beef cows made up to €1.80/kg, with a few going for over this price. Dairy store cows were making from €1.25/kg to €1.40/kg, while parlour cows were making €0.90/kg to €1.10/kg. Commission rates are 1.5% to the seller and €9 to the buyer.