In pictures: trade back but still strong in Balla

Balla Mart hosted its weekly sale on Saturday, which included a special sale of weanlings.

This increase in weanlings saw numbers through the ring rise to nearly 900.

While the same bite for cattle seen in January wasn’t as evident, demand remained quite strong, resulting in a clearance rate of over 90%.

Speaking after the sale, mart manager Stephen Hannon said: “The general sale has started to cool off compared to the confidence that was shown after Christmas.

“Forward, heavy cattle were most noticeable. That said, dry cow trade we are seeing no slack in. That super young continental type is holding very strong, with northern buyers still active.

Weanlings

“The farmer-type weanling of 300kg of a good enough standard was no problem in selling. The heavier bull or bulls suitable for feeding for the factory was more difficult, in line with the beef trade.”

As mentioned, weanlings under 400kg met a good trade.

Weanling heifers between 300kg and 400kg sold for an average price for €2.64/kg. This rose to an impressive €2.97/kg for the top third of lots sold.

Lighter lots were in even higher demand, with heifers under 300kg selling for an average of €2.83/kg.

Highlights

One of the highlights was a seven-month-old Limousin heifer that weighed 325kg and sold for €1,060 (€3.26/kg).

A number of sub-300kg heifers were selling between the €800 and €1,000 mark.

A similar trade was seen for their male counterparts, resulting in an average of €2.71/kg.

Male weanlings ranging from 300kg to 400kg hit an average of €2.50/kg, rising to €2.81/kg for the upper end of lots. Prices here were led by a Charolais bull weighing 330kg that sold for €1,050 (€3.18/kg).

For animals over 400kg prices for both bulls and heifers averaged between €2.20/kg and €2.40/kg.

Averages

Steer and heifer prices stood 5c/kg back on the week across the weight divisions.

The majority suckler make-up of the sale still meant that the average price for heavy stock was around the €2.20/kg average.

Short-keep steers were a similar price, with short-keep heifers 10c/kg forward on this.

Cattle under 500kg saw averages range from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg.

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