The heifer trade was a little slower to get going than the bullock sale. The main demand was for good-quality continental cattle, with a good deal of buyers for these.

However, plainer cattle were a little harder sold, particularly dairy types.

All in all, the clearance rate was similar to last week.

For bullocks, prices ranged mainly from €500 to €900 along with the weight, with plainer light dairy crosses selling mainly from €350 to €500 over.

This 400kg Angus cross bullock born April 2016 sold for €830 (€2.08/kg).

This 465kg Angus cross bullock born May 2016 sold for €1,020 (€2.19/kg).

Most quality bullocks from 500kg to 600kg sold from €2.25/kg to €2.50/kg.

Stores from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.35/kg, with top-quality types making over €2.50/kg.

Weanling bulls

Weanling bulls were a good trade once again, with nice-quality Charolais and Limousin types reaching the highest prices.

Bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg, with top-quality types making over €2.80/kg.

Lighter bulls were a solid trade also, but plainer types continue to be a little slower to sell.

Average-quality 250kg to 300kg bulls sold mainly from €2.60/kg to €2.70/kg, with top-quality types making over €3.00/kg.

Weanling heifers

Weanling heifers sold from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg for average-quality 300kg to 400kg types, with top-quality types making close to €3/kg.

Lighter average-quality continental heifers sold from €2.60/kg to €2.70/kg, with plainer types making from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg.

This 495kg Charolais cross heifer born March 2016 sold for €1,140 (€2.30/kg).

Heifers were slow to get going, but the trade for good-quality lots was solid; plainer types and dairy crosses were a hard sell.

Heifers over 500kg sold mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality types, while better-quality heifers made up to €750 over.

Heifers from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg. Plainer types made from twice the weight to €500 over.

This 665kg Limousin cross cow born 2012 sold for €1,200 (€1.80/kg).

This 725kg Limousin cull cow born 2009 sold for €1,050 (€1.45/kg).

Read more

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In pictures: black and whites the backbone of Bandon sale

More variable trade at the marts