Last Monday saw a special weanling sale take place at GVM Mart Kilmallock. According to mart manager PJ Buckley, there were high prices all round once again, with some prices increased on previous weeks.

In terms of the weanling bull sale, PJ said that prices reached €3.43/kg at the top of the market. That was paid for a top-quality 475kg Limousin bull which made €1,630.

The main supply of good-quality bulls sold from €2.80/kg to €3.05/kg, while average-quality bulls sold from €2.20/kg to €2.50/kg. Lighter types under 300kg sold for up to €3.18/kg, which was paid for a top-quality 258kg Charolais.

According to PJ, there was a good entry of weanling heifers on offer also, which were met with strong demand.

Prices topped out at €3.01/kg, which was paid for a top-quality 445kg Belgian Blue heifer, which sold for €1,340. Other top-quality and well-muscled types over 350kg sold from €2.44/kg to €2.88/kg.

Farmers were active for lighter types also. Prices of these ranged mainly from €2.46/kg for average-quality types to €2.90/kg for a top-quality 265kg Piedmontese.

There were plenty of farmer buyers active at the sale also, with the best trade for in-spec short-keep types. Heavy bullocks over 600kg sold mainly from €620 over the weight for plainer types to over €735 for top-quality types.

Good-quality heavy Friesian bullocks sold to €573 along with the weight.

There was a good trade once again for good-quality store bullocks, similar to previous weeks. Those from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €475 to €600 over for continentals, with many Angus and Herefords making from €475 to €530 over also. Light bullocks under 400kg sold mainly from €380 to €530 over the weight.

Forward store heifers sold from €480 to €565 over for heavy types over 600kg. Those from 500kg to 600kg sold from €495 over to €565 over for better-quality types.

Lighter store heifers were fairly abundant and sold from €400 to €545 along with the weight, while light stores under 400kg sold from €340 to €580 along with the weight, with better-quality types selling easily for €500 upwards along with the weight.

Commission rates are 1.5% to the seller and €9.30 upwards to the buyer.

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Cattle prices: larger numbers and weaker demand hits mart trade