There were more than 1,200 bulling heifers as well as weanling bulls and heifers on sale, with only a few animals going unsold. The trade was brisk, with buyers for all types.

Regular buyers described the trade as difficult, with demand and competition for animals of all types.

Most bulling heifers on sale were Salers, Limousin, Simmental or Shorthorn cross. All heifers were at least 12 months old and averaged approximately 400kg.

Prices ranged from £980 (€1,156) for an April 2016-born Simmental heifer to £1,220 (€1,439) each for a pair of May 2016-born Salers cross heifers.

These February and March 2016-born Limousin cross heifers weighed an average of 394kg and sold for £880, or €1,038 (€2.63/kg).

These three April 2016-born Simmental cross heifers weighed an average of 400kg and sold for £830, or €979, each (€2.45/kg).

This April 2016-born Shorthorn cross heifer weighed 422kg and sold for £840, or €991 (€2.34/kg).

This pair of December 2015-born Simmental cross heifers weighed an average of 512kg and sold for £1,480, or €1,746 (€3.41/kg).

Ian Curry finishes about 1,000 head of cattle every year and he was in Thainstone last Friday. Curry bought more than 77 heifers at the sale.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Curry said it is difficult to secure store cattle as a result of a strong beef price. The deadweight price paid to farmers is £3.66/kg (€4.30/kg) at present and has been climbing for the past six weeks.

“It’s a nice market and is reasonably stable,” Curry said.

“The store trade is very buoyant though ... it can be difficult to get the cattle that you want because there are a lot of people out there buying at the minute.”

These Simmental cross heifers were born between July and April 2016, weighed an average of 400kg and sold for £900, or €1,062, each (€2.66/kg).

This April 2016-born Simmental heifer weighed 458kg and sold for £980, or €1,156 (€2.52/kg).

This June 2016-born Simmental cross heifer weighed 400kg and sold for £860, or €1,014, (€2.53/kg).

These two March and April 2016-born Salers cross heifers weighed an average of 396kg and sold for £960, or €1,132, each (€2.85/kg).

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