IN THE KNOW
1BALLINA
Billy Loftus noted that once your animal, whether bullock or heifer, had the potential to be a good R grade you could expect a “strong price”. Billy also commented that plainer lots continued to be “a harder sell”. Samples from the sheets on the bullock side included a 725kg Charolais who clicked €1,525, a 496kg Charolais at €1,350 and a 572kg Aberdeen Angus that made €1,220. On the heifer side €1,400 bought a 526kg Simmental, with an extra fiver securing a 541kg Simmental at €1,405. Store and factory cows ranged from €1.70-/kg to €2.20/kg, with the top price on the day going to a 770kg Charolais who saw the hammer fall at €1,710.
2MOUNTRATH
Glen Cooper’s message from his last sale to me was very clear: “quality sells”. Glen pointed to prices for “top end” weanling heifers and bulls that ranged from €2.553.69/kg in the 200-300kg section. In the 300-400kg division the overall average price worked out at €2.46/kg, with the top of the tops hitting €4.17/kg. Among the heavier 500kg+ stock, prices ranged from €1.803.02/kg. “There was a great market for those better U and E grades,” Glen said.
3HEADFORD
The story here was of a steady trade for the better-quality animal, with the averages showing that prices for bullocks ranged from €1.19/kg to €2.70/kg. On the heifer side those averages worked out at €1.56-2.56/ kg. Weanling heifers made €1.78-2.79/kg, with weanling bulls averaging €1.49-3.33/ kg. Trade for cull cows saw prices range from €750/hd to €1,260/hd.
4ENNIS
Despite the fact that numbers increased last week on previous outings, renewed confidence and a continuing dry autumn helped push prices upwards. Bullocks were reported as being better by €20/hd, with heifers up by €30/hd. Prices from the sheets included three 478kg Limousin bullocks at €2.72/kg, with five more that weighed 490kg coming in at €2.40/kg. Looking at the heifers you find the following comparisons: three 493kg Charolais at €2.53/kg, versus three 436kg Herefords at €1.82/kg, or how about that 440kg Limousin at €2.52/kg?
5BALLINROBE
There was a special continental sale of bullocks here last week, as well as the usual sale. In relation to that special sale the best of the best saw two 628kg Charolais bullocks clocking €1,545/hd or €2.46/kg, followed by a single 590kg Charolais at €2.47/kg or €1,460. Other prices of note included a 435kg Aberdeen Angus who must have hit all the bonus boxes to make €2.48/kg. Also in there with a shout were three 475kg Limousin crosses that sold for €1,210/hd or €2.55/kg.
6MACROOM
Prices for bullocks here saw Herefords and Angus types range from €210 to €500 over the €1/kg, while three 490kg Limousins sold for €1,100/hd, three slightly lighter Limousins at 460kg came in at €1,045/hd, while four more Limousins at 430kg saw the hammer at €€980/hd. Weanling bulls made from €200 to €535 over the €1/kg, with weanling heifers making €180-465 over the €1/kg. A quick look at the heifers and you note two 550kg Limousins making €1,180/hd.
7BALLINAKILL
The lesser bullock and heifer had a better day here last week than they’d had for a good while as bigger numbers of buyers competed for stock. Prices across the various categories averaged as follows: heavy bullocks sold for €1.95-2.35/kg, with forward store types making €2.00-2.55/kg. Light stores made €2.10-2.75/kg. Beef heifers made €2.102.40/kg, while store heifers made €2.05-2.80/ kg. On the weanling side bulls averaged €2.10-2.75/kg, with weanling heifers making €2.05-2.85/kg. Cull cows sold for €1.10-1.85/ kg.