There was no let up in the prices being paid at the weekly beef sale at Ballymena Livestock Market last Thursday 6 November, with buyers keen to fulfil pre-Christmas orders with local factories.
Across 275 cattle on offer, a 99% clearance rate was achieved, as the usual regulars around the ringside competed with online bidders. A total of 14% of purchases were made online. Factory-fit cattle with good grading potential were consistently making over 400p/kg, while quality beef bred cows ready traded between 320p and 370p/kg, to a top of 392p/kg.
Beef heifers peaked at £3,385, 418p/kg for a standout 810kg Limousin, closely followed by a 710kg Charolais heifer which made £2,967, 418p/kg.
Bullocks sold to a top price of £3,364, 377p/kg, paid for an 890kg Limousin, followed by another Limousin at 790kg that sold for £3,270, 414p/kg.
Cow
The top price of 392p/kg for a beef cow was paid for a 680kg Limousin at £2,662, while a 770kg Limousin made £2,833, 368p/kg.
Dairy bred cows in good condition traded from 240p/kg to a top of 276p/kg for a 600kg Friesian at £1,656. Stock in their working clothes and requiring a finishing period, made between 190p and 220p/kg.
Commenting after the sale, Ballymena Auctioneer, Callum Patterson said the trade at the beef sale has remained very steady in recent weeks, but given the cost of stores, price rises are required this winter.
This October 2023-born Charolais bullock weighed 760kg and sold for £2,964, 390p/kg.
This August 2023-born Beef Shorthorn bullock weighed 720kg and sold for £2,764, 384p/kg.
This April 2023-born Limousin bullock weighed 700kg and sold for £2,800, 400p/kg.
This October 2022-born Limousin bullock weighed 700kg and sold for £2,744, 392p/kg.
This January 2023-born Belgian Blue bullock weighed 660kg and sold for £2,719, 412p/kg.
This February 2024-born Charolais bullock weighed 780kg and sold for £2,932, 376p/kg.
This August 2023-born Beef Shorthorn bullock weighed 750kg and sold for £2,625, 350p/kg.
This December 2023-born Belgian Blue bullock weighed 530kg and sold for £2,045, 386p/kg.
This June 2025-born Stabiliser male weanling weighed 240kg and sold for £936, 390p/kg.
This April 2025-born Aberdeen Angus male weighed 370kg and sold for £1,406, 380p/kg.
This 2019-born Limousin cow weighed 680kg and sold for £2,434, 358p/kg.
There was no let up in the prices being paid at the weekly beef sale at Ballymena Livestock Market last Thursday 6 November, with buyers keen to fulfil pre-Christmas orders with local factories.
Across 275 cattle on offer, a 99% clearance rate was achieved, as the usual regulars around the ringside competed with online bidders. A total of 14% of purchases were made online. Factory-fit cattle with good grading potential were consistently making over 400p/kg, while quality beef bred cows ready traded between 320p and 370p/kg, to a top of 392p/kg.
Beef heifers peaked at £3,385, 418p/kg for a standout 810kg Limousin, closely followed by a 710kg Charolais heifer which made £2,967, 418p/kg.
Bullocks sold to a top price of £3,364, 377p/kg, paid for an 890kg Limousin, followed by another Limousin at 790kg that sold for £3,270, 414p/kg.
Cow
The top price of 392p/kg for a beef cow was paid for a 680kg Limousin at £2,662, while a 770kg Limousin made £2,833, 368p/kg.
Dairy bred cows in good condition traded from 240p/kg to a top of 276p/kg for a 600kg Friesian at £1,656. Stock in their working clothes and requiring a finishing period, made between 190p and 220p/kg.
Commenting after the sale, Ballymena Auctioneer, Callum Patterson said the trade at the beef sale has remained very steady in recent weeks, but given the cost of stores, price rises are required this winter.
This October 2023-born Charolais bullock weighed 760kg and sold for £2,964, 390p/kg.
This August 2023-born Beef Shorthorn bullock weighed 720kg and sold for £2,764, 384p/kg.
This April 2023-born Limousin bullock weighed 700kg and sold for £2,800, 400p/kg.
This October 2022-born Limousin bullock weighed 700kg and sold for £2,744, 392p/kg.
This January 2023-born Belgian Blue bullock weighed 660kg and sold for £2,719, 412p/kg.
This February 2024-born Charolais bullock weighed 780kg and sold for £2,932, 376p/kg.
This August 2023-born Beef Shorthorn bullock weighed 750kg and sold for £2,625, 350p/kg.
This December 2023-born Belgian Blue bullock weighed 530kg and sold for £2,045, 386p/kg.
This June 2025-born Stabiliser male weanling weighed 240kg and sold for £936, 390p/kg.
This April 2025-born Aberdeen Angus male weighed 370kg and sold for £1,406, 380p/kg.
This 2019-born Limousin cow weighed 680kg and sold for £2,434, 358p/kg.
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