There was a very consistent selection of forward bull weanlings available in Macroom on Saturday, with potential R and U grade type stock dominating the numbers.

Most weighed between 400kg and 500kg and offered buyers a number of future options, with very few lighter weanlings on offer.

Good weaning practice was also evident, with a relatively quiet penning area.

On the price front, weanling bulls were selling for between €305 and €890 with their weight.

Heavier continental bulls up to 550kg were making between €2.20/kg and €2.78/kg for strong potential U graders. Lighter weanlings were making up to €2.96/kg.

Sample weanling bull prices

  • One Limousin, 435kg – €1,140, €2.62/kg.
  • Two Charolais, 410kg – €1,080, €2.63/kg.
  • One Belgian Blue, 500kg – €1,390, €2.78/kg.
  • Two Limousins, 492kg – €1,190, €2.42/kg.
  • One Charolais, 390kg – €1,060, €2.72/kg.
  • One Belgian blue, 480kg – €1,240, €2.58/kg.

    • This bull born in December 2016 and weighing 480kg sold for €1,200 (€2.50/kg).

    There was more weight variation in the weanling heifers on offer in a sale which saw heifers sell for between €290 and €710 over the euro per kilo.

    Sample weanling heifer prices

  • One Belgian Blue, 430kg – €1,140,€2.65/kg.
  • One Charolais, 410kg – €1,090, €2.66/kg.
  • Three Belgian Blue, 345kg – €1,000, €2.90/kg.
  • One Limousin, 270kg – €790, €2.93/kg.

    • These heifers born in September 2016 and weighing 430kg sold for €995 (€2.31/kg).

    In the bullock sale, traditional beef crosses made between €270 and €520 with their weight while continentals made up to €690 over the euro per kilo.

    Friesian bullocks were making between €1.55/kg and €1.70/kg.

    Sample bullock prices

  • Two Hereford, 390kg – €865, €2.22/kg.
  • Five Angus, 480kg – €1,000, €2.08/kg.
  • Two Limousin, 430kg – €1,080, €2.51/kg.
  • Eight Friesian, 433kg – €715, €1.65/kg.
  • Two Charolais, 475kg – €1,130, €2.38/kg.

    • These bullocks born in November 2016 and weighing 415kg sold for €1,070 (€2.58/kg).

    Cows

    Well-fleshed suckler cows made up a good proportion of the dry cow numbers.

    Feeder-type Friesian cows were generally making between €100 and €200 with their weight, with cows making between €90 and €720 over the euro per kilo.

  • One Hereford, 975kg – €1,580, €1.62/kg.
  • One Limousin, 750kg – €1,470, €1.96/kg.
  • One Limousin, 730kg – €1,290, €1.77/kg.

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