Cattle prices: strong trade for forward cattle as sun brings buyers to Balla

There was a very strong trade for fleshed cows. At the top of the market were young cow/heifers, which sold from €2.10/kg to €2.15/kg, while heavy fat cows sold from €1.85/kg to €2.00/kg. Better-quality types made from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg.

There continues to be strong demand for feeding cows, ranging from €1.50/kg for warm feeding Friesians to €1.80/kg for good-quality continentals.

In-calf suckler cows continue to be a variable trade, with good-quality lots making upwards of €1,600, while plainer and older cows with calves at foot were making €1,000 to €1,400.

This Charolais cross bullock, born April 2015 and weighing 490kg, sold for €1,190 (€2.43/kg).

Finishers active

Finishers remain active for all forward steers but the numbers on offer are getting smaller, with more and more store cattle coming to the fore.

Good-quality bullocks over 600kg continue to make from €700 to €850 over the weight. Those from 500kg to 600kg continue to be a steady trade and are selling from €600 to €700 over the weight, with top-quality types making up to €750 over.

The average 450kg steer sold mainly from €550 to €700 along with the weight, with better-quality types making up to €800 over. Angus and Herefords bullocks continue to be a steady trade.

This heavy Charolais cross cow, born May 2009 and weighing 885kg, sold for €1,690 (€1.91/kg).

Better trade

Forward heifers again were a better trade than lighter types, with those under 380kg being met with a little bit more mixed demand and slightly poorer prices. Good-quality types over 600kg sold easily from €750 to €850 over the weight but underage lots on offer were minimal.

Those from 500kg to 600kg were a solid trade and sold from €600 to €700 over the weight, but again not huge numbers were available. Top-quality types made up to €750 over.

This Limousin cross cow, born November 2013 and weighing 645kg, sold for €1,375 (€2.13/kg).

Lighter stores were a solid trade, but did not hit the heights reached by forwards heifers. Those from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €900 to €1,200.

Light heifers were a little slower to sell, with poorer-quality lots met with weaker demand. Those from 300kg to 350kg sold mainly from €700 to €950.

Scroll through the gallery at the top of the page to see pictures from the sale.