Larger sales of cattle at marts

Marts: The number of cattle on offer peaks for the season at the marts yesterday where the trade was maintained for quality lots, while the plainer cattle were an easier trade.

There was a big improvement in the size of entry at Bandon Mart where the bullock trade continued very strong for quality continentals, with the heavier lots selling for up to €440 over, but the plain light Friesian stores were a quieter trade selling back to €90 over.

Heavy bullocks ranged €300 over to €440 over, lighter lots making €250 over to €350 over and Friesians selling at €90 over to €220 over. A lot of four Charolais weighing 592kg sold for €1,030, two Limousin weighing 665kg sold for €1,050, three Herefords weighing 525kg made €940, and four Friesians weighing 328kg fetched €485. The trade continued strong for the heifers with a plentiful supply of customer at the ringside. Continental heavy heifers sold for up to €340 over. Hereford and Angus stores ranged €170 over to €250 over.

There was a big sale of over 1,100 head at Ennis with a strong all round trade, particularly for the quality continentals in both bullocks and heifers, the choice lots making fancy prices. Up to €725 over was paid for the best of the heavy bullocks and heifers sold for up to €605 over. In the bullock ring the top price of €1,590 was paid for a Limousin weighing 865kg. A lot of two Limousin weighing 765kg sold for €1,455, a Charolais weighing 750kg sold for €1,440, a Charolais scaling 595kg sold for €1,245, and five Limousin weighing 580kg sold for €1,140.

In the heifer ring a Charolais weighing 575kg sold for €1,180, a Charolais weighing 755kg sold for €1,340, and a Limousin weighing 590kg made €1,180.

There was over 300 dry cows on offer which were an exception trade at up to €690 over being paid. The top price was paid for a Belgian Blue x weighing 780kg sold for €1,470. A Charolais weighing 895kg sold for €1,490, and a Friesian weighing 835kg sold for €1,190.