In the know...
Ballymote
A strong buying trade saw keen prices across all sections, with forward store bullocks and heavy cows especially sought after.
Bullocks under 500kg sold from €450-770 over the €1/kg, with forward 500-600kg types averaging €500-855 over the €1/kg.
Heavier lots sold up to €900 over the €1/kg.
Store cows suitable for feeding or grazing sold from €250-450 over their weight, with heavy culls making €420990 with the weight.
Bull weanlings sold from €300-600 with the €1/kg, while heifer weanlings made €260-615 with the €1/kg.
Castlerea
Weather warnings were little heeded here, evidenced by the increased numbers on offer. Prices remained strong especially for forward quality lots.
Sample prices among the bullocks included a 475kg Angus at €1,100, a 480kg Charolais at €1,265 and a 670kg Charolais at €1,500.
On the heifer side, a 745kg Limousin clicked €1,770, a 590kg Limousin saw the green flag at €1,500, while a 420kg Limousin surged to €1,180.
In the calf ring Friesian crosses sold from €10-120/ hd, with Hereford and Angus types selling from €150-230/ hd. Continental runners averaged €375-840/hd.
Mountbellew
The weather appeared to have little impact on trade here as buyers battled it out.
Among the heifers was a 540kg Salers-cross at €1,100 followed by a 495kg Shorthorn -cross at €960. Continuing with the traditional breeds you had two 410kg Herefordcrosses that sold for €815/hd, with two 430kg Angus-crosses making €705/hd.
On the weanling bull side was a 375kg Limousin-cross at €930, while a 395kg Blonde Aquitaine-cross changed hands at €850.
On the weanling heifer
side €840 bought a 330kg Limousin-cross, with €710 seeing a 280kg Limousin heading to new winter accommodation.
Tuam
Among the bullocks, the top two prices went to a 770kg Charolais-cross at €1,600 with a 620kg Limousin-cross clicking €1,410. Best of the heifers were a 635kg Limousin at €1,480 and a 735kg Charolais at €1,520.
Weanling heifers sold from €2.53-2.94/kg, with weanling bulls averaging €2.50-3.18/kg.
New Ross
Jim Bushe reported a continuation of the recent strong trade, with plenty of customers for both beef and store stock. Beef bullocks sold from €600-945 over the €1/ kg, with heifers making from €550-850/hd over.
Heavy Friesian bullocks made €380-540 over the weight, with lighter store types averaging €140-380 over.
Hereford and Angus store bullocks made €370-545 over the €1/kg, with your continental type averaging €445-780 over. Feeding cows sold from €140-320 over the €1/kg, while beef types hit a top of €670 over the weight.
Fermoy/Corrin
Sean Ryan was in flying form, saying: “A great trade and no grass men out yet.”
So who is driving the trade? “Shed men, feedlots, call them what you like. Men killing cattle.”
Sean reported light continental bullock (under 450kg) as selling from €2.252.85/kg, with Hereford and Angus making €2.05-2.35/kg and light Friesians averaging €1.75-2.00/kg.
Ennis
Trade was reported as being a shade easier here for bullocks, with averages back around €20/hd.
However, generally prices for heifers and cull cows continued strong.
Limousins were at €2.68/ kg and two 552kg Charolais made €2.62/kg.