"We've seen increased farmer activity this week and more agents in th market for stock. We had a special bullock sale here today and that has attracted some very good quality lots and some extra customers," was Michael Harty's assessment of trade at Nenagh on Tuesday.

Good-quality continental steers sold for €2.20-€2.30/kg, with a number of Hereford and Angus x store steers and good quality HE x steers hitting the €2.00/kg mark.

Lesser-quality and lighter lots struggled to hit the €1.70/kg mark.

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Heifers

Weight and quality were in demand in the heifer ring, with plenty of customers on the lookout for short-keep cattle. Good quality continental heifers over 450kg made €2.00-€2.20/kg, while lighter store heifers averaged around €2.00/kg. Poorer-quality dairy cross heifers could be bought at €1.60-€1.80/kg.

The cow trade was a similar story, with heavier fleshed cows a good trade and lighter bare cows in short demand. A list of sample prices in the cow,heifer and steer rings are outlined below.

Sample prices

Heifers

One CH heifer, 485kg born Feb 17 sold at €1,100.

One LM heifer, 340kg born June 17 sold at €680.

Lot 118, 435kg, born April 17, sold at €930.

Lot 119, 465kg, born April 17, sold at €920.

One CH heifer, born Jan 17, 455kg sold at €1,000.

Cows

Lot 713, 645kg, CH cross bare in flesh,born 2012, €920.

Lot 714, 635kg freisian, born 2007,€750.

Lot 715, 2 cows, born 2008 and 2011,British Freisian fleshed cows, 690kg, sold at €890.

Lot 717, 525kg, born 2011, bare, €520.

Lot 718, 465kg, jersey cross bred 2008, €340.

Lot 722, born 2008, 660kg, €815.

Bullocks/Steers

Lot 14d, 460kg, born April 16, €710

Lot 15c, 6 friesian steers, 482kg, born March 17, €690

Lot 15H, 433kg, 3 Angus steers, born April 2017,sold at €760.

Lot 16E, 406kg,1 born March 17, 1 born August 17, sold at €660.

Lot 16M, 360kg, 2 Limousins, born March 17 sold at €690.

Lot 16R, 420kg born April and June 2017, €735.

Lot 16S, 445kg, born April 17 sold at €890.

Lot 17B, 426kg, born April 17 sold at €930.

Lot 17C, 410kg born April 17 sold for €940.

One Hereford steer, born March 2017, 450kg, sold at €805.

Three Hereford steers born Feb 2017, 561kg sold at €950.

Martbids

The Irish Farmers Journal, in association with livestock marts around the country, has launched the Martbids app which allows buyers to view animals entered for a sale before it starts. It also has price reporting and advertising features. For more information on martbids click here.