The main camera at the ringside was at last Friday’s special show and sale of beef and store heifers and cows at Tullow Mart.

Mart manager Eric Driver said that the trade was electric, with factory agents and butchers competing strongly for all good-quality types. In total, there were over 500 head sold on the day, with only a handful going unsold.

The trade was so strong for factory-fit types that the prices paid at the ringside were well above what was available in the marts for all good-quality types.

In general, the trade for fleshed types was underpinned by wholesale buyers from the North who kept a firm floor under prices. Eric said that beef heifers sold from €750 to €1,100 along with the weight. On a price per-kilo basis, this translates to €2.20/kg to €2.50/kg for the best-quality types.

The highest price was a U+/E grade Limousin heifer weighing 750kg, which sold for €1,870.

Store heifers were a very strong trade also. The majority of good-quality store heifers sold from €650 to €1,000 over the weight or from €2.40/kg to €2.75/kg at the top end of the market.

In terms of top prices, Eric said that a group of three Limousin heifers weighing 650kg on average made €1,650 each, while a 480kg Limouisn made €1,170. A group of four lighter Limousin heifers weighing 465kg sold for €1,270/head or €2.74/kg.

Farmers were said to be very active for all good-quality weanling heifers. Prices were strong and slightly higher than previous weeks.

Prices in the main ranged from €2.20/kg to €2.80/kg for average-quality continental weanling heifers.

The highest price on the day was for a top-quality Belgian Blue heifer weighing 440kg, which was knocked down at €1,410, a price of over €3.20/kg.

Other good-quality muscled heifers in the same weight category sold at similar prices.

Fleshed cows were met with very strong demand and prices ranged mainly from €1.85/kg upwards for better-quality types.

The top cow was a very heavy 985kg Belgian Blue, which sold at a massive price of €2,460 or €2.50/kg.

Commission rates are €10 to the buyer a minimum of €9 to the seller.

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