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27 September 2017

Nathan Tuffy on 27 Sep 2017

Strong demand for quality bullocks at Roscommon

Farmers and feeders were active at Roscommon Mart for last Friday's special bullock sale.

Nathan Tuffy

27 September 2017

Strong demand for quality bullocks at Roscommon

This pair of Charolais-cross bullocks, born May 2016 and weighing 535kg on average, sold for €1,490 (2.79/kg).

This Limousin-cross bullock, born April 2015 and weighing 565kg, sold for €1,290 (€2.28/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock, born April 2016 and weighing 525kg, sold for €1,490 (€2.84/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock, born March 2016 and weighing 600kg, sold for €1,600 (€2.67/kg).

This Limousin-cross bullock, born March 2016 and weighing 580kg, sold for €1,630 (€2.81/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock, born April 2016 and weighing 555kg, sold for €1,650 (€2.97/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock, born May 2016 and weighing 580kg, sold for €1,650 (€2.85/kg).

This Belgian Blue-cross heifer, born May 2016 and weighing 480kg, sold for €1,205 (€2.51/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer, born June 2016 and weighing 420kg sold for €1070 (€2.55/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer, born May 2016 and weighing 490kg sold for €(€2.31/kg)

This Charolais-cross heifer, born March 2016 and weighing 510kg, sold for €1,140 (€2.24/kg).

The main camera at the mart was at last Friday’s special bullock sale at Roscommon Mart. Mart manager Maura Quigley said that there was a large entry of over 740 cattle on offer and the quality was very high. Maura said that the trade was a little easier than previous weeks, which resulted in a slightly reduced clearance rate of 90%. In terms of demand, the main demand was from farmers and feeders, with customers from near and far actively sourcing stock.

In terms of demand, the main demand was from farmers and feeders, with customers from near and far actively sourcing stock.

Heavy bullocks over 600kg sold for close to €2.20/kg on average, with better-quality U grades selling from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg.

There were some plainer types on offer also, mainly Angus and Herefords, which sold for close to €2.00/kg.

There was a good entry of bullocks from 500kg to 600kg also, which were met with firm demand. Prices for these ranged from €2.35/kg to €2.45/kg for average-quality types, with the top third making over €2.60/kg or €1,430 for 550kg.

Farmer buyers were active for stores, again with better-quality types being more in demand.

The average 450kg continental steer sold for about €1,100, with plainer lots around the same weight making €1,000. Top-quality U grade stores in the same weight range sold for over €2.65/kg or €1,200 for 450kg.

There was a slightly smaller entry of heifers on offer, due mainly to the special bullock sale. Despite this, there was still good demand for all good-quality heifers, although plainer types were a little slower to sell at times.

Those from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg for average-quality types, with U grades making over €2.30/kg or €1,265 for 550kg.

Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg were met with stronger prices on a per-kilo basis. The average heifer made €2.20/kg or just under €1,000/head, while top-quality heifers sold for up to €2.60/kg.

There was a good entry of dry cows once again and prices ran to €1,450 for a top-quality slaughter-fit cow.

The majority of feeding cows sold from €300 to €400 over the weight, with better-quality cows making €500 to €600 over. Commission rates are €9 to the buyer along with a €2 entry fee and 1.9% to the seller.