There was a turnout of 300 cattle and 300 sheep to mark the occasion of Iveragh co-op Mart’s 30th anniversary sale in Caherciveen.

Commenting after the sale, manager Mike Kissane said: “I was happy enough with the sale. The top quality made by far the best price. The gap in prices is getting wider between the well-muscled cattle and plainer animals. The sale saw a 90% clearance.”

The top-quality 400kg to 420kg bull was getting around €2.50/kg or €2.60/kg, while R grades were back at around €2/kg to €2.20/kg.

With the lighter 300kg weanling, you’d want a good calf to make €800 but generally they were making €750. Heifers were a tougher trade, with weanlings selling for between €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg, with similar prices for older cattle. Prices fell back closer to €2/kg for plainer animals.

Ewe lambs were making a little with €2/kg but not much while the rougher type of ram lamb was selling in the €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg price range. There was a solid trade for breeding hoggets and they made between €100 and €145, while hill cull ewes were making between €40 and €50/head.

Commission rates are €9 to the buyer and 1% to the seller, with a €5/head entry fee subject to a minimum charge of €5 and a maximum of €12/head.