Fat cattle were an exceptionally strong trade at Ballymena Mart last week as sale numbers start to tighten.

Beef cows sold to a top price of £1,449 for a 700kg Limousin animal, which made 207p/kg. The same price per kilo was realised by a 650kg Blonde d’Aquitane cow which made £1,345.

The main trade for fleshed cows saw prices of 171p to 194p/kg, with £1,214 to £1,393 being paid in most instances.

Feeding cows sold from 150p to 170p/kg. Friesian cows sold to £866 for a 610kg animal which made 142p/kg.

Bullocks sold to £2,142 for a 900kg Blonde d’Aquitane animal, with £1,870 paid for an 870kg animal.

The main trade for fat cattle saw prices of 199p to 215p/kg. Friesian bullocks sold to 164p/kg for a 660kg animal which made £1,082.

Beef heifers sold to 218p/kg for a 560kg animal which made £1,220, with prices of £1,311 back to £1,098 on offer.

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