Camera at the mart was at last Thursday evening’s special Shorthorn breeders club annual spring sale of pedigree and non-pedigree cattle. There was a good sale on the day with plenty of buyers active.

Mart manager Brendan Egan said that the quality on offer on the day was back slightly on the autumn sale, but there was still good demand for quality. The clearance on the day was back slightly on last year, but was still over 60%.

Between maiden heifers, weanlings and in-calf heifers, the average price on the day was about €955/head.

Farmers were particularly active for all good-quality types. There was a good crowd at the ringside, with the best quality and pedigree types fetching the highest prices.

The top price on the day was €1,400, which was paid for a good-quality in-calf heifer. Other good-quality pedigree maiden heifers sold for up to €1,400 also. Some choice pedigree heifers made from €1,100 to €1,400 also.

Thursday morning’s general cattle sale saw another strong entry of 1,000 cattle on offer. Brendan said that demand was strong, despite the poor weather conditions. He said that, again, good-quality store cattle were the best trade on the day and prices ranged mainly from €600 to €700 along with the weight for store heifers.

At Monday’s sale, bullocks made up to €915 over the weight and averaged at €685 over.

Brendan said that cows with calves at foot were an improved trade and sold from €850 to €2,480. Today, Thursday there is a special sale of 32 dairy heifers and cows along with the usual sale.

Commission rates are 1.9% to the seller and €9 to the buyer with an entry fee of €2.