Increased buying demand and a smaller sale of 500 hoggets resulted in higher prices at Kilrea Mart this week.

Prices peaked at £96 for 25kg hoggets, with several lots weighing 24.5kg making £93 to £94.

Hoggets weighing 23kg to 24kg sold upwards of £91, with 21kg to 22.5kg making £81 to £90 depending on quality.

Texel and Suffolk lambs were strong sellers, with hill breeds a slower trade. Fat ewes sold to £94.50.

Calves

A smaller entry of 200 calves saw a flying trade.

Bull calves peaked at a sale-topping £460 for a Simmental animal with calves of similar breeding making £210 to £390. Simmental heifer calves made £200 to £290.

Limousin bull calves sold from £250 to £355, with heifer calves making £290. Angus bull calves sold to £355, with other lots making £240 to £320. Angus heifer calves made £260.

Blue calves sold from £284 to £304 for bulls, with heifers making £295. Friesian calves sold to £168, with Fleckvieh calves making £225.

Fat cows

With plenty of buyers looking for beef cattle, fat cows were an excellent trade. Good-quality cows made 160p/kg to 180p/kg, with plainer lots making 125p/kg to 150p/kg.

Bullocks sold from £1,000 to £1,255 for good-quality lots weighing 450kg to 550kg, with heifers making £870 to £920.

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