Wednesday last saw the 43rd annual show and sale take place at Baltinglass Mart. The trade was very strong and the sale was described as one of the best ever held at the mart.

There was sharp demand for all forward-store and lighter store bullocks. Speaking after the sale, mart manager Joe Kinsella said that the event was very successful and he was delighted for the local farmers who received such high prices.

The main demand for heavy cattle was from factory buyers, with farmer and exporter demand creating a strong price floor under all other stock.

The top price at the sale was the show champion, a 955kg Limousin bullock born in 2015. The bullock was presented by John Lawlor from Kiltegan and it fetched €2,320 (€2.43/kg).

Other top-quality heavy bullocks over 700kg sold from €1.83/kg to €2.43/kg, with prices averaging at about €2.15/kg, but prices of €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg were also quite common.

Forward stores from 550kg to 650kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.30/kg for continentals, while dairy-bred stock sold mainly from €1.70/kg to €1.85/kg. Store bullocks from 450kg to 550kg sold mainly from €2.20kg to €2.30/kg, with top-quality types making well over €2.50/kg. Commission rates are 1.7% to the seller and €10 to the buyer.