Saturday’s sale at Balla Mart saw a slightly smaller entry of stock in the yard, but demand remains strong for all good-quality cattle. The bullock ring in particular was particularly hot at times.
The best demand was for all good-quality stores from 400kg upwards, with short-keep bullocks also a brisk trade. At the top of the market, heavy bullocks over 600kg sold mainly from €800 to €1,100 along with the weight.
This 380kg Limousin bullock, born March 2017, sold for €1,200 (€3.16/kg).
This 380kg Limousin bullock, born March 2017, sold for €1,200 (€3.16/kg).
Stores were met with consistently strong farmer buyer demand who is continuing to source cattle for grass. Those from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg for better-quality types. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg were brisk where the quality on offer was good.
This 520kg Limousin bullock, born April 2017, sold for €1,470 (€2.83/kg).
This 520kg Limousin bullock, born April 2017, sold for €1,470 (€2.83/kg).
Several top-quality types made close to €1,000 along with the weight, while plainer quality types were still a good trade. At the bottom end of the market, some plain, aged Friesian bullocks sold for a little over €110 along with the weight, with others failing to sell at €1.10/kg.
This 535kg Limousin cross heifer, born May 2016, sold for €1,390 (€2.60/kg).
This 535kg Limousin cross heifer, born May 2016, sold for €1,390 (€2.60/kg).
The heifer ring saw a strong trade also, but it was not quite as hot as the equivalent bullock. Where the quality on offer was good, the trade was brisk, but some plainer dairy cross heifers were a little slower to sell. Heifers from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €2.50/k got €2.60/kg with top-quality types making over €2.70/kg. Stores from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg with better quality types selling for over €2.70/kg.
These three Friesian bullocks, born March 2016 and weighing 400kg on average, were bid to €450 but not sold (€1.13/kg).
These three Friesian bullocks, born March 2016 and weighing 400kg on average, were bid to €450 but not sold (€1.13/kg).
There was a good share of weanlings on offer which were met with good demand. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg and up to €3.00/kg at the top of the market. Heifers were similar, selling from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg for average-quality types.
The cow trade continues to be very strong where well fleshed and muscled cows are on offer. Prices of fleshed and short keep types are ranging mainly from €1.85/kg to €2.00/kg with prices of over €2.10/kg paid in some cases. Feeding cows are steady, selling mainly from €1.75/kg to €1.85/kg depending on flesh.
Saturday’s sale at Balla Mart saw a slightly smaller entry of stock in the yard, but demand remains strong for all good-quality cattle. The bullock ring in particular was particularly hot at times.
The best demand was for all good-quality stores from 400kg upwards, with short-keep bullocks also a brisk trade. At the top of the market, heavy bullocks over 600kg sold mainly from €800 to €1,100 along with the weight.
This 380kg Limousin bullock, born March 2017, sold for €1,200 (€3.16/kg).
This 380kg Limousin bullock, born March 2017, sold for €1,200 (€3.16/kg).
Stores were met with consistently strong farmer buyer demand who is continuing to source cattle for grass. Those from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg for better-quality types. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg were brisk where the quality on offer was good.
This 520kg Limousin bullock, born April 2017, sold for €1,470 (€2.83/kg).
This 520kg Limousin bullock, born April 2017, sold for €1,470 (€2.83/kg).
Several top-quality types made close to €1,000 along with the weight, while plainer quality types were still a good trade. At the bottom end of the market, some plain, aged Friesian bullocks sold for a little over €110 along with the weight, with others failing to sell at €1.10/kg.
This 535kg Limousin cross heifer, born May 2016, sold for €1,390 (€2.60/kg).
This 535kg Limousin cross heifer, born May 2016, sold for €1,390 (€2.60/kg).
The heifer ring saw a strong trade also, but it was not quite as hot as the equivalent bullock. Where the quality on offer was good, the trade was brisk, but some plainer dairy cross heifers were a little slower to sell. Heifers from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €2.50/k got €2.60/kg with top-quality types making over €2.70/kg. Stores from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg with better quality types selling for over €2.70/kg.
These three Friesian bullocks, born March 2016 and weighing 400kg on average, were bid to €450 but not sold (€1.13/kg).
These three Friesian bullocks, born March 2016 and weighing 400kg on average, were bid to €450 but not sold (€1.13/kg).
There was a good share of weanlings on offer which were met with good demand. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg and up to €3.00/kg at the top of the market. Heifers were similar, selling from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg for average-quality types.
The cow trade continues to be very strong where well fleshed and muscled cows are on offer. Prices of fleshed and short keep types are ranging mainly from €1.85/kg to €2.00/kg with prices of over €2.10/kg paid in some cases. Feeding cows are steady, selling mainly from €1.75/kg to €1.85/kg depending on flesh.
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