Monday’s special cattle show and sale at Tuam Mart saw a large entry of 400 bullocks and over 150 heifers on offer.

Mart manager Marian Devane said that the trade was well improved on recent sales, with a clearance rate of about 93% being achieved.

She said that both farmer and feedlot demand for bullocks was very strong at the sale, with some northern activity back around the ring also.

The quality of stock on offer was extremely high also, which resulted in a flying trade. The best demand was for high-quality heavy bullocks and those suitable for further feeding.

Marian said that, at the top of the market, prices went as high as €1,125 along with the weight for a top-quality heavy Limousin bullock.

Other heavy types over 700kg sold from €925 to €1,055 along with the weight, but the majority of good heavy bullocks sold from €750 to €850 over the weight.

Age was a major factor affecting weights of heavy bullocks, with the main demand for bullocks that would be suitable for finishing under 30 months.

The majority of bullocks from 600kg to 700kg sold at similar prices to the previous week. Better-quality U grade types sold mainly from €2.15/kg to €2.20/kg, while plainer bullocks sold from €700 to €800 along with the weight.

Lighter forward stores from 500kg to 600kg were a similar trade to heavier types, with the strongest demand for better-quality types, while plain-quality stores were variable. The top third of bullocks in that weight range sold from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg, while average-quality types sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg.

Plainer types made from €1.80/kg to €2.00/kg, but the number on offer was low. Lighter store bullocks from 400kg to 500kg were met with strong farmer demand and, as a result, better-quality types sold mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg.

While heifer numbers were a lot lower than bullocks, they were met with a strong trade once again. The average 550kg heifer sold mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg, with the best-quality making over €2.50/kg. Lighter store heifers sold from €2.15/kg to €2.25/kg for average heifers and for over €2.45/kg at the top of the market.

Commission rates are €1 to the buyer and 1.5% to the seller.