Last Tuesday's sale at Markethill saw over 100 lots passing through the beef ring.

Heavy cows sold to £1.53/kg for a 750kg cow which fetched £1,150. Demand for fat cows on the day saw prices range mainly from £1.20/kg to £1.39/kg. Fleshed Friesian cows sold to £1.15/kg for a top quality 800kg cow. The top price per head was £1,035 for a top quality 930kg cow. Second quality Friesians sold from £0.80/kg to £0.88/kg.

There were 115 dropped calves on offer. A three-week-old Simmental sold to £300 while several more sold from 3,200 to £260, which was paid for Angus calves. Continental heifer calves sold from £190 to £280 per head.

There was strong demand for dairy stock and as a result prices hit £1,580, which was paid for a calved heifer. Maiden heifers sold to £810 each.

At Saturday’s sale, there was a solid entry of 280 stores and weanlings, which were met with a firm trade. Bullocks sold to £2.18/kg which was paid for a quality 550kg forward store. Prices ranged mainly from £1.90/kg to £2.10/kg.

Top quality middle weights sold from £2.00/kg to £2.37/kg, while average quality lots sold from £1.70/kg to £1.90/kg. Heifers sold mainly from £2.00/kg to £2.35/kg for lightweights while heavier types sold from £2.15/kg to £2.90/kg.