Saturday saw the special Monaghan day bullock sale take place at Mohill Mart. The sale saw a very strong trade, particularly for all good-quality heavy types, with buyers present from near and far.

Mart manager Stephen Hannon said that cattle on show were all of very good quality, with a strong proportion of the cattle shown being R+ and U grade. The quality of stock present was reflected in the prices and a very lively trade ensued. Out of the 550 bullocks on offer, only three went home unsold.

The same sale last year saw the average price of €1,294 achieved for an average of 556kg. This year, the average weight recorded at the sale was 554kg and the average price was €1,305.

There were a good number of heavy bullocks over 650kg on offer, which have been scarce in sales around the west in recent weeks.

Stephen said that there was very sharp demand from these, with prices frequently between €850 and €950 over the weight, while some of the best-quality types made over €1,000 along with the weight and up to €1,125 over.

The average price for bullocks over 650kg was €900 along with the weight. In price-per-kilo terms, the majority of these heavy steers sold from €2.25/kg to €2.35/kg.

Age no deterrent

Age was not a deterrent when it came to demand for good-quality heavy types, with little to no difference between the prices paid for over-aged stock as in-spec stock.

There was a strong trade for bullocks from 550kg to 650kg, also driven by feeder activity around the ring. The number on offer was quite large and prices again were strong, but reflected the quality of cattle on offer. Prices averaged at €2.34/kg or €800 over with weight.

Top-quality cattle in the same weight range sold for up to €925 over the weight, while some plain Hereford and Angus-crosses sold from €1.80/kg to €2.00/kg.

Stores from 450kg to 550kg were fairly plentiful also and they were met with solid demand. Prices for these ranged mainly from €2.35/kg to €2.45/ kg or from €650 to €750 over the weight.

Commission rates are 2% to the seller and €9 to the buyer with an entry fee of €2/head.