This week's sale again saw a large number of lots entered, with approximately 500 bullocks and 300 heifers on offer. There was a drop in the number of cows on offer, with about 100 entered. The trade for bullocks and heifers was up slightly on last week, but the cow trade saw a drop in demand and price.

Good-quality Charolais and Limousin forward store bullocks weighing 550kg to 700kg commanded prices of €2.05/kg to €2.38/kg. Some of the top-quality lots sold to €2.45/kg. Similar to last week, there was a good demand for 2014-born bullocks that were likely to command the QPS bonus in the factory.

Bullocks weighing from 370kg to 550kg sold from €2.15/kg to €2.35/kg, with some suckler-bred continentals making up to €2.40/kg.

Lower-quality animals and dairy crossbreds sold for as little as €1.51/kg

Demand remained strong for young, light stores that would finish well on a grass-based system in 2016.

Heifer trade up, cows down

Heifer prices were up on last week, with heifers fit for slaughter and good-quality forward stores selling from €2.04/kg to €2.42/kg. The highest-quality lots sold up to €2.48/kg. R and U grade animals weighing from 380kg to 450kg sold from €2.10/kg to €2.40/kg. Dairy crossbreds and plainer lots sold as far back as €1.37/kg.

The cow trade saw a fall in demand and price on last week. Good quality R grade cows made €1.25 /kg to €1.45/kg. Continental breeds, fit for slaughter and weighing 550kg to 700kg, sold at €1.30/kg to €1.86/kg. There was very low demand for young and less fleshy cows, meaning they sold as low as €1.10/kg to €1.35/kg