IN THE KNOW

1 BALLYMAHON

Looking at the figures, John O’Hanlon reckoned his sales prices were more or less in line with those pre-Christmas and in some sections were not that different from the first returns of 2018. Among the bullocks to see the hammer were a 575kg Charolais who clicked €2.09/kg and a 560kg Angus X at €1.91. Prices among the weanling bulls saw a 425/kg Charolais at €2.45/kg and his 410kg Belgian Blue comrade at €2.54/kg fighting it out for top spot on the prices board. The heifer trade was described by John as a “tricky” situation with the 400-500kg heifer averaging €2/kg to a top of €2.25/kg.

2 TULLOW

Having your annual fatstock show and sale at the start of the year is one way of ensuring your year gets off to a good start, and so it was here. Top call of the day went to a 930kg Charolais bullock who sold for €2,130 or €2.29/kg, just ahead of two 800kg Charolais at €2.24/kg. The good forward 500kg+ store typically pushed up to €2.30/ kg and beyond with Herefords and Angus types making up to €2.05/kg. Plainer lighter Continentals ranged from €2-2.45/kg with lighter Herefords and Angus making from €1.90-2.05/kg. Shippers and farmers were active for weanling bulls with prices ranging from €2.20-3/kg.

3 BALLA

Trade here was equally positive with 300-400kg bullocks averaging €2.20/kg. A 315kg Charolais set the top bar at €2.86/kg.