Over 330 cattle were booked into Monday’s general cattle sale in Birr Mart.

Speaking to David White of Central Auctions - the co-operative marts group which runs Birr, Nenagh and Roscrea marts - he said that it was "a good sale for this time of year".

“There were plenty of farmers and feedlot buyers,” he said White after the sale.

“There was also more cattle than we might have expected because the weather wasn’t so great down here this morning,” he added.

Heifers

As has been the case in marts throughout the country this spring, the heifer trade was lively.

Table 1 gives a full breakdown of heifer prices from the sale.

“Nice-quality Charolais-cross heifers at 320kg made up on €850,” said White. “Heavier 550kg heifers made up on €1,330.”

Overall, those in the 350kg to 400kg bracket made just under €2.20/kg, with quality continental lots making over €2.40/kg consistently.

Heifers over 400kg made €2.05/kg and ones over 500kg made €2.00/kg on average.

Quality continentals showing good conformation made over €2.20/kg regularly.

Bullocks and bulls

The bull and bullock trade was steady.

Table 2 gives a full breakdown of bullocks from the sale.

Those between 400kg and 500kg averaged €1.96/kg, with the top third on quality making €2.20/kg.

Heavier cattle over 500kg averaged €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg, with 20c/kg more paid for better quality.

Stand-out prices on the day included €1,350 for a 600kg Charolais-cross bullock and €1,370 for a 590kg Limousin-cross bullock.

A larger number of Friesian bull weanlings was on offer too.

“Most of those lots weighed in at 250kg to 300kg and sold for between €1.60/kg and €1.70/kg,” said White.

Cows

Overall, cow prices were back, but mainly due to the larger number of dairy cows in the sale.

“Well-fleshed Friesian cows made €300 to €350 along with the weight,” White added.

Cows averaged €1.50/kg, with top continentals hitting in excess of €1.80/kg and Friesians averaging €1.30/kg.

Birr Mart

Birr Mart will not have a general cattle sale on Monday 3 June due to the bank holiday.

White also encouraged sellers to bring cattle to the sale as early as possible to facilitate a more streamlined intake process.

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