Saturday’s cattle sale at Carnew Mart saw another good entry of about 500 head of cattle on offer. Along with the usual cattle sale, there was a special entry of E and U grade weanlings on offer.

Mart manager David Quinn said that while the drought is affecting demand, better-quality cattle and weanlings were still a very good trade on Saturday last.

Weanlings under 300kg were not available in great numbers, but where the quality was right, prices were strong. They sold mainly from €2.60/kg to €2.80/kg and up to €2.92/kg for a 216kg Charolais.

Weanlings from 300kg to 400kg were a better trade than lighter types. Prices ranged mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg, with better-quality bulls selling from €2.60/kg to €2.90/kg. Several good-quality Charolais bulls made from €850 to €900/head.

There was a share of well-muscled bulls on offer, mostly Limousin and Belgian Blue types. Demand for these was very strong and prices of over €1,100 to €1,170 were paid. Heavier bulls over 400kg were met with strong feeder demand and prices of €1,000 to €1,300 were common.

Weanling heifers from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €750 to €850, with better-quality types selling to €900/head. Farmer buyers were the main source of demand for these, but where plainer dairy-cross heifers were on offer, prices of €500 to €600 were more common. Heavier heifers from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €830 to €920/head, with better-quality types selling to over €1,100.

David said that short-keep and well-fleshed bullocks continue to be met with strong demand, but age has been back in focus for the past few weeks.

Heavy bullocks over 600kg sold mainly from €1,500 to €1,570 or from €740 to €820 along with the weight. Forward bullocks from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €900 to €1,210/head.

The lowest prices were paid for Friesians, while a group of Herefords from a dairy background sold from €965 each. Lighter store bullocks from 450kg to 500kg were more plentiful and sold mainly from €1,090 to €1,150.

Heavy heifers over 550kg were a strong trade and sold mainly from €1,200 to €1,500 for continentals, while plainer heifers sold from €920 to €1,100.

Commission rates are 1.5% to the seller and €10 to the buyer.