Saturday's sale at Dowra Mart saw a large entry of cattle and sheep on offer. With larger numbers, the two rings were in full flight for most of the day.

Despite heavy rain across much of the west in the last two weeks, demand was strong for all types.

The cow sale was quite good for warm cows carrying some flesh. At the upper end of the trade, top-quality heavy continental cows made over €600 along with the weight. However, the majority of feeding cows from 600kg to 700kg sold from €350 to €420 along with the weight.

Older and plainer cows sold from €250 over the weight and higher, but some poor-quality cows struggled to make €100 over the weight.

This Charolais cross bullock, born May 2017 and weighing 590kg, sold for €1,410 (€2.39/kg).

Bullocks

There was strong demand for all types of bullocks, even plainer lots. Angus bullocks over 480kg sold for around the €2.00/kg mark or slightly under it depending on quality, with Herefords and plain continentals a similar trade.

Better-quality heavier continentals were met with strong demand and prices ranged mainly from €700 to €800 along with the weight at for better-quality types.

Slightly plainer types sold from €600 over the weight and upwards.

Lighter bullocks from 400kg to 500kg were a good trade with plenty of buyers present for these.

Plainer cattle at lighter weights were met with the weakest demand but there were buyers for everything.

This Ppair of Limousin cross heifers, born March 2018 and weighing 420kg on average, sold for €1,080 each (€2.57/kg).

Heifers

The heifer trade was brisk for all types over 500kg, with 600kg plus heifers making €1,200 to €1,300 with ease where the quality was good. Those under 500kg sold mainly form €1,100 to €1,250/head.

Herefords from 400kg to 450kg sold mainly from €1.85/kg to €2.00/kg with quality having an impact on prices.

There was a share of plainer heifers from 400kg to 450kg on offer which sold from €1,000 to €1,150. Weanling heifers from 300kg to 400kg sold from €750 to €850 and up to €900 at times.

This Charolais cross cow, born 2010 and weighing 670kg, sold for €1,060 (€1.74/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer, born November 2017 and weighing 470kg, sold for €1,070 (€2.28/kg).

This Hereford cross heifer, born July 2017 and weighing 490kg, sold for €1,090 (€2.22/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer, born January 2018 and weighing 425kg, sold for €1,070 (€2.52/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer, born January 2018 and weighing 375kg, sold for €815 (€2.17/kg).

This Charolais cross bullock, born May 2017 and weighing 595kg, sold for €1,335 (€2.24/kg).

This Hereford cross bullock, born June 2018 and weighing 330kg, sold for €620 (€1.88/kg).

This Charolais cross bullock, born October 2017 and weighing 510kg, sold for €1,300 (€2.55/kg).