Trade quiet for younger cattle at sales

Quality bullocks continued a very strong trade, but the lighter, younger and plain animals met with a noticeably quieter trade at yesterday’s sales.

With large number of cattle on offer at each of the centres, dizzy prices continued to be paid for the choice heavy and forward continental bullocks — with finishers betting on a good trade for early finished cattle — but the younger and lighter cattle are meeting with a cooler demand with a continuation of slippage in demand and prices.

There was a further increase in the number of cattle on offer at Bandon Mart yesterday, where demand for the good quality bullocks was strong with buyers plentiful, but the trade for the light and small stores was described as “noticeably quieter”.

Some of the plain light Friesians were finding difficulty in making much over €/kg in weak demand.

The heavy bullocks sold for €200 over to €400 over and lighter stores ranged in general €140 over to €300 over.

Trade for heifers was similar to last week. The best of the continentals sold for up to €320 over. Hereford and Angus sold at €120 over to €210 over.

Overall trade was similar to last week at Ennis Mart for the quality cattle with 1,100 head on offer.

Up to €535 over was paid for the best of the heavy continental bullocks. Prices ranged back to €200 over.

A lot of five Charolais weighing 724kgs sold for €1,250, a Limousin 700kgs made €1,185, three Charolais weighing 585kgs sold for €1,100, two Charolais 565kgs selling for €1,100 — with several lots making up to or over €1,000/head.

Best of the heavy heifers on offer sold for €540 over. Prices ranged back to €200 over.

Top price went to a Limousin weighing 460kgs sold for €1,100, a Belgian Blue X weighing 530kgs sold for €1,000, and a lot of two Charolais 565kgs sold for €940.

Almost 500 head on offer at Blessington where the heavy bullocks made up to €500 over and stores sold for up to €450 over.