There was an even split of approximately 120 weanling bulls and 120 weanling heifers as well as a strong number of calves and runners on sale at Carrigallen.
This meant all three rings were in operation.
Buyers were in shorter supply than in recent weeks but there was still demand for quality cattle. Any continental animal with a bit of weight generated interest from the ringside. Traditional breeds and lighter animals did not have the hands in the ring.
Overall, the auctioneers had to fight hard for top prices although the trade could be described as being solid overall.
Bulls
The vast majority of the bulls on offer were continentals of varying quality. In general, the white and golden Charolais had the buyers’ interest most of all.
This May 2017-born Charolais cross bull weighed 485kg and made €1,100 (€2.26/kg).This 485kg May 2017-born Charolais cross bull made €1,100 (€2.26/kg).
This pair of April 2017-born Limousin cross bulls weighed an averaged of 380kg and sold for €940 each (€2.47/kg).
This pair of April 2017-born Limousin cross bulls weighed an averaged of 380kg and sold for €940 each (€2.47/kg).
This February 2017-born Limousin cross bull weighed 545kg and sold for €1,170 (€2.14/kg).This February 2017-born Limousin cross bull weighed 545kg and sold for €1,170 (€2.14/kg).
This June 2017-born Limousin cross bull weighed 360kg and sold for €895 (€2.48/kg).This June 2017-born Limousin cross bull weighed 360kg and sold for €895 (€2.48/kg).
This October 2017-born Shorthorn bull weighed 365kg and sold for €830 (€2.27/kg).This October 2017-born Shorthorn bull weighed 365kg and sold for €830 (€2.27/kg).
With the exception of one or two lighter and well-shaped bulls, the €3/kg mark was not breached.
Bulls traded from €2.10/kg for plainer cattle to €2.60/kg for the better lots. Overall, it took a fine bull to cross the €1,000 threshold.
Farmers and feedlots were the bigger buyers on the day.
Heifers
In the second ring, there was a solid demand for quality heifers. A number of good-quality Angus heifers did not get much reaction from the buyers.
In general, the Charolais and the Limousin were the most popular among the buyers.
This February 2017-born Charolais cross heifer weighed 444kg and made €1,045 (€2.35/kg).This 444kg February 2017-born Charolais cross heifer made €1,045 (€2.35/kg).
This April 2017-born Charolais cross heifer weighed 314kg and sold for €900 (€2.86/kg).This April 2017-born Charolais cross heifer weighed 314kg and sold for €900 (€2.86/kg).
This April 2017-born Charolais cross heifer weighed 302kg and made €800 (€2.64/kg).This April 2017-born Charolais cross heifer weighed 302kg and made €800 (€2.64/kg).
The run of the prices for a good-quality continental ranged from €2.25/kg to €2.50/kg. Like the bulls, it took a special animal to cross the €1,000 mark.
With better weather on the horizon and even the heavier land set to dry out, there were a number of grass buyers at Carrigallen on Saturday.
Read more
In pictures: slightly better trade at Balla
Numbers and quality take a hit
There was an even split of approximately 120 weanling bulls and 120 weanling heifers as well as a strong number of calves and runners on sale at Carrigallen.
This meant all three rings were in operation.
Buyers were in shorter supply than in recent weeks but there was still demand for quality cattle. Any continental animal with a bit of weight generated interest from the ringside. Traditional breeds and lighter animals did not have the hands in the ring.
Overall, the auctioneers had to fight hard for top prices although the trade could be described as being solid overall.
Bulls
The vast majority of the bulls on offer were continentals of varying quality. In general, the white and golden Charolais had the buyers’ interest most of all.
This May 2017-born Charolais cross bull weighed 485kg and made €1,100 (€2.26/kg).This 485kg May 2017-born Charolais cross bull made €1,100 (€2.26/kg).
This pair of April 2017-born Limousin cross bulls weighed an averaged of 380kg and sold for €940 each (€2.47/kg).This pair of April 2017-born Limousin cross bulls weighed an averaged of 380kg and sold for €940 each (€2.47/kg).
This February 2017-born Limousin cross bull weighed 545kg and sold for €1,170 (€2.14/kg).This February 2017-born Limousin cross bull weighed 545kg and sold for €1,170 (€2.14/kg).
This June 2017-born Limousin cross bull weighed 360kg and sold for €895 (€2.48/kg).This June 2017-born Limousin cross bull weighed 360kg and sold for €895 (€2.48/kg).
This October 2017-born Shorthorn bull weighed 365kg and sold for €830 (€2.27/kg).This October 2017-born Shorthorn bull weighed 365kg and sold for €830 (€2.27/kg).
With the exception of one or two lighter and well-shaped bulls, the €3/kg mark was not breached.
Bulls traded from €2.10/kg for plainer cattle to €2.60/kg for the better lots. Overall, it took a fine bull to cross the €1,000 threshold.
Farmers and feedlots were the bigger buyers on the day.
Heifers
In the second ring, there was a solid demand for quality heifers. A number of good-quality Angus heifers did not get much reaction from the buyers.
In general, the Charolais and the Limousin were the most popular among the buyers.
This February 2017-born Charolais cross heifer weighed 444kg and made €1,045 (€2.35/kg).This 444kg February 2017-born Charolais cross heifer made €1,045 (€2.35/kg).
This April 2017-born Charolais cross heifer weighed 314kg and sold for €900 (€2.86/kg).This April 2017-born Charolais cross heifer weighed 314kg and sold for €900 (€2.86/kg).
This April 2017-born Charolais cross heifer weighed 302kg and made €800 (€2.64/kg).This April 2017-born Charolais cross heifer weighed 302kg and made €800 (€2.64/kg).
The run of the prices for a good-quality continental ranged from €2.25/kg to €2.50/kg. Like the bulls, it took a special animal to cross the €1,000 mark.
With better weather on the horizon and even the heavier land set to dry out, there were a number of grass buyers at Carrigallen on Saturday.
Read more
In pictures: slightly better trade at Balla
Numbers and quality take a hit
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