Saturday’s sale at Balla Mart saw almost 920 head on offer between bullocks, heifers and cows.

The trade was very strong once again, with prices for forward store and store bullocks up slightly on last week. Heifers were a very strong trade also, with heavy and good-quality stores up slightly on last week also.

The bullock ring saw 450 head on offer between bulls and steers, while there were about 360 heifers on offer and 110 cull cows.

This Limousin bullock, born March 2016 and weighing 635kg, sold for €1,490 (€2.35/kg).

This Limousin bullock, born March 2016 and weighing 565kg, sold for €1,390 (€2.46/kg).

There was noticeably more demand for grass cattle, with agents and farmers actively buying.

The heifer ring saw a slightly smaller entry to last week. Heifers over 600kg were scarce but a strong trade, while those from 500kg to 600kg were met with strong demand. Prices of these ranged mainly from €1,100/head to €1,350/head, with the strongest demand for good-quality types.

Store heifers from 400kg to 500kg were met with strong farmer demand also. Prices of average-quality types ranged mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.45/kg, with better-quality heifers making from €2.50/kg to €2.70/kg.

This Belgian Blue heifer, born April 2017 and weighing 415kg, sold for €1,160 (€2.80/kg).

This Charolais heifer, born June 2016 and weighing 505kg, sold for €1,235 (€2.45/kg).

Weanling heifers weighing between 300kg and 400kg sold mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg for average-quality types.

Better-quality Charolais and Limousin heifers sold from €2.70/kg to €3.00/kg. Heifers from 200kg to 300kg sold mainly from €2.60/kg to €2.80/kg and well over €3.00/kg for better-quality types.

This Charolais heifer, born April 2016 and weighing 525kg, sold for €1,315 (€2.50/kg).

This Limousin cross five-star heifer, born June 2017 and weighing 265kg, sold for €865 (€3.26/kg).

Bullocks over 600kg were a slightly stronger trade. They sold from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg and up to €2.40/kg for top-quality U grades.

Forward store bullocks from 500kg to 600kg were a little stronger also, especially for better-quality types. Prices ranged mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.35/kg, with top-quality types making over €2.50/kg.

This pair of Charolais cross bullocks, born March 2017 and weighing 270kg on average, sold for €880 (€3.25/kg).

This Limousin bullock, born June 2017 and weighing 295kg, sold for €860 (€2.92/kg).

Store bullocks from 400kg to 500kg were a little stronger also, with more grass buyers present. They sold mainly from €900 to €1,250, with better-quality types selling from €2.60/kg to €2.80/kg.

Weanling bulls were a solid trade also. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €850 to €950/head, with lighter types making from €650 to €800.

This Limousin bullock, born January 2017 and weighing 400kg, sold for €985 (€2.46/kg).

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