Bandon mart was a hive of activity for last week's sale, with just over 2,400 cattle on offer.

There was plenty of activity for finished cattle, with cows and forward store bullocks much sought after.

There was a big lift in bullock numbers, with almost 600 on offer.

There was mixed demand, with forward stores selling well while yearling cattle were a tougher trade although there was a very plentiful supply of them.

While usually there is a 10-20c/kg difference between one- and two-year-old bullocks there was hardly any of a differential in this sale.

These bullocks, born April 2017 weighing 374kg, made €720, €1.93/kg.

Hereford and Angus bullocks made €1.80/kg to €2.20/kg depending on quality. Outliers were at the upper end of this price range, but they were in short supply.

Continental bullocks were scarce and sold for between €2.30/kg and €2.55/kg. Friesians sold for between €1.55/kg and €1.80/kg.

Bullocks sample prices

Forward stores

Four Limousin, 582kg – €1,360, €2.34/kg

Three Angus, 696kg – €1,310, €1.88/kg.

Four Hereford, 653kg – €1,320, €2.02/kg.

Two Angus, 647kg – €1300, €2.01/kg.

Five Friesian, 518kg – €875, €1.69/kg.

This group of bullocks, born January 2016 weighing 501kg, sold for €840, €1.68/kg.

2017-born bullocks

Six Angus, 402kg – €790, €1.97/kg.

Seven Hereford, 320kg – €610, €1.91/kg.

Four Hereford, 346kg – €730, €2.11/kg.

Five Angus, 388kg - €810, €2.09/kg.

Six Friesian, 334kg - €560, €1.68/kg.

Five Belgian blue, 390kg - €920, €2.36/kg.

This cow, weighing 655kg, sold for €1,390, €2.12/kg.

Cows

Cows were a roaring trade, with 214 going through the ring. Fleshed Friesian cows sold well with many selling for between €300 and €500 with their weight. Suckler cows were in the minority but met strong demand. They made up to €735 over the €/kg. Animals in need of more grazing were making between €100 to €200 over the €/kg.

Cow prices

One Charolais, 620kg – €1,300, €2.10/kg.

One Friesian, 865kg – €1,455, €1.68/kg.

One Friesian, 780kg – €1,350, €1.73/kg.

One Friesian,– €1,060, €1.63/kg.

One Friesian, 585kg – €885, €1.51/kg.

Heifers sold from €250 to €600 with their weight, while dairy stock sold from €900 to €1,300 for cows and Friesian maiden heifers made €550 to €630.

Calves

Calf numbers are beginning to drop off, with 1,460 on offer last week.

Hereford and Angus bull calves sold for between €170 and €320 while heifers from these crosses made between €160 and €280.

Shipping-type Friesian bull calves sold for between €110 to €170 with up to €200 for farmer-type Friesian bulls. Friesian heifers sold for between €150 to €280.

Continental bulls sold for up to €485, while continental heifers made up to €420.

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