Quality cattle steady but plain light types slower to sell

There was a good steady trade at Saturday’s sale at Balla Mart. Farmer buyers were fewer, but agent demand was firm, which led to a good trade.

Heavy bullocks over 500kg were a steady trade once again. Prices ranged mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.25/kg, with some top-quality types making over €2.30/kg.

Bullocks

There were some plainer bullocks on offer too, which sold from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg were steady also and were the most abundant weight of cattle on offer. Prices of these ranged mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg and up to €2.50/kg for top light bullocks.

Weanling bulls and bullocks from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €750 to €900/head. Heavy bulls over 500kg were met with mixed demand and prices depended on the quality and age of those for sale.

Stores

Forward store heifers from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg for R grades with better types making over €2.25/kg.

There was good demand for lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg, but plainer types were a little slower to sell. The average heifer made from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg with U grades making over €2.40/kg. Weanling heifers were firm and those from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg and to over €2.50/kg for better types. Plain light weanling heifers were a slower sell especially those under 200kg.

Fleshed cows sold mainly from €1.75/kg to €1.90/kg. The main range of feeding cows sold from €1.60/kg to €1.75/kg depending on quality with plainer and older cows making from €1.20/kg upwards.