IN THE KNOW
1NENAGH
Michael Harty said trade was “sharper in general” as a result of more farmer customers. The 400-450kg heifer in particular appeared improved. “The good 450kg one could make up to €1,050/hd,” he said. “There are less of those lighter smaller Friesians coming out. I think men are holding them, waiting to see how things develop.” Among the heavier bullocks, five 490kg Charolais sold for €1,200/hd, while a 670kg Charolais made €1,640.
2DELVIN
We saw a microcosm of national price trends here. The Delvin bullock from 300400kg averaged €747/hd in August 2017, while this year that average was €135/hd less at €612/hd. In the 500-550kg bullock section the 2017 average for August is €964/hd as opposed to this year’s €923/hd. That’s just 10c/kg or €41/hd. It’s a similar story with the heifers. The lighter one is back by up to 63c/kg. The figure in the 400-500kg division is just €19/hd; €920/hd in 2017 versus €901/hd this August.
3BALLYMAHON
The price squeeze from 350-480kg saw last year’s early September average shrink from €2.38/kg to this year’s €2.06/kg. The magic number, John O’Hanlon said, is 500kg. “Above 500kg the market is positive, with our figures showing last week’s average for 500kg bullocks as being €2.20/kg, the same as last year.” At an average of €2.26/kg last week bullocks over 600kg were 6c/kg dearer than in 2017. Weanling bulls over 500kg were also ahead of last year by 8c/kg.
4SIXMILEBRIDGE
Sean Ryan reckoned trade in general to be stronger, with the lesser bullock “slightly improved”. Overall bullock averages ranged from €1.80-2.65/kg .There was also an improvement on the weanling side, with more demand leaving bulls at €2.13/kg to €2.80/kg. The top Belgian Blues made €3.00/kg, while heifers ranged from €2.07/ kg to €2.80/kg, with the tops again making €3.00/kg.
5TULLOW
It was all about quality at Tullow’s autumn bull weanling show and sale. The best of the U and E grade calves sold for €2.90-3.60/kg, with the top prize going to a 455kg Belgian Blue that sold for €1,595. The best of the Limousin and Charolais calves over 400kg made €900/hd to €1,240/ hd, with both feeders and shippers active. Lighter lots met a steady trade but the plainer black calf didn’t get much above €2.00/kg.
6DOWRA
Patsy Smith said his bull weanling trade was good, with bulls from 300-400kg averaging €2.41/kg to a top of €3.13/ kg. The top price was paid for a 335kg Limousin at €1,050. Heifer weanlings hit a top of €2.80/kg. Bullocks from 500600kg averaged around the €2.00/kg mark, with the tops making €2.50/kg. In the 600kg+ section prices averaged €2.11/ kg, and made to a top of €2.41/kg. Cull cows topped out at €1.90/kg, with samples including a 845kg Shorthorn that clicked €1,510 and a 740kg Limousin that made €1,405.
7BALLA
A big yard of cattle draw buyers from across the midlands and west. Prices for bullocks in the 300-400kg section averaged €2.21/kg, with the top price of €995 or €2.62/kg going to a 380kg Limousin cross. Stores in the 400-500kg division averaged €2.32/kg, while a May 2017-born 480kg Limousin cracked €2.81/kg or €1,350. Heavier bullocks averaged €2.22/kg, slightly up on the previous week. In the heifer ring those up to 400kg averaged €2.13/ kg, with those from 400-500kg averaging from €2.16/kg to a top of €2.61/kg. Heifers of 500kg+ averaged €2.20/kg to a top of €2.44/kg.