Roscrea Mart reintroduced the second ring for Friday's sale, which attracted nearly 500 cattle. The big entry for this time of year was met with a strong trade throughout the sections.

Cow prices again proved strong with Northern buyers in attendance to secure the fitter continental types. Such was the demand that some of the top lots saw prices exceed the €2/kg mark.

This shapey 2017-born Limousin cross heifer weighing 650kg sold for €1,460.

Top price was a three-year-old Limousin cow weighing 650kg that hit the market at €1,460 (€2.26/kg). Another cow to break the €2/kg mark was another Limousin cross three-year-old and weighing 615kg. She sold for €1,330 or €2.16/kg.

Overall, 63 cows sold to average nearly €1.60/kg, on par with last week’s trade. The upper tier of these saw the average rise to over €1.80/kg, while the bottom third of stock came in to €1.30/kg.

A Hereford cross cow born in 2005 and weighing 765kg sold for €1,210.

A 2016-born Simmental cross cow weighing 615kg sold for €940.

An eight-year-old Charolais cross cow weighing 810kg sold for €1,280.

Steers

On the male front, lighter steers proved an exceptionally strong trade. Bullocks weighing between 350kg and 400kg saw an average sale price of over €2.30/kg. Strong continental types, mostly autumn 2019-born, were much higher, in some cases breaking €2.70/kg. Top of these were a pair of Charolais cross bullocks weighing 350kg that sold for €950.

Bullocks between 400kg and 500kg also saw high demand, averaging at €2.19/kg. Better quality lots again achieved higher prices with the top third of lots selling for an impressive €2.50/kg. Top of these was a pair of yearling Charolais bullocks weighing 432kg and selling for €1,120 (€2.59/kg).

A Simmental cross four-year-old cow weighing 740kg sold for €1,250.

This eight-year-old Charolais cow weighting 870kg sold for €1,550.