Quality drop calves in demand at Omagh Mart

The sale at Omagh Mart on Monday saw 638 lots presented, selling to a clearance rate of 98%.

The quality of stock on offer more than made up for numbers starting to reduce after the seasonal autumn peak.

Standout prices on the day occurred in the calf ring, with reared calves peaking at £1,320 followed by £1,130.

Continental-bred reared calves around 12 weeks of age regularly broke the £1,000 barrier, which equates to prices anywhere from 800p to 1000p/kg. Younger continental calves from three to six weeks old were regularly selling between £700 and £800.

Good-quality Friesian young bulls sold above the £500 per head mark. The prices paid for Aberdeen Angus calves were generally behind those for continentals, with £500 to £700 reflecting a certain level of disgruntlement among buyers about eroded Angus bonuses for finished stock.

Bullocks and heifers

In the bullock ring, heavy animals peaked at £2,770 and £2,690, with continental bred cattle over 700kg consistently selling for over 350p/kg. Lighter store bullocks between 400kg and 500kg generally broke the 400p/kg barrier.

Heifers topped out at £2,780 followed by £2,640, with continental animals over 550kgs trading between 350p/kg and 380p/kg. Lighter Angus heifers weighing 450kg to 500kg were selling around the 330p/kg mark or £1,500.