Last Saturday’s sale at Sixmilebridge Mart saw a special show and sale of heifers and cows.

Mart manager Sean Ryan said that the trade was very good, but this was due mainly to the quality of stock on offer for the sale. Sean said that the best trade was for heifers. Farmer buyers and feeders were active for all types of good-quality lots.

This Limousin-cross cull cow weighing 775kg sold for €1,530 (€1.97/kg).

At the top of the market, forward heifers sold from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg. Sean said that one 605kg heifer made €1,395, or €2.31/kg. The majority of heifers sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg. There were some plainer types on offer also that sold from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg.

The trade for cows was quite strong also, given the current beef price issues. The best prices were paid for heavy and well-muscled cows. Prices topped out at €2.01/kg, which was paid for a top-quality young Limousin cow weighing 710kg.

This Belgian Blue-cross cull cow weighing 885kg sold for €1,730 (€1.95/kg).

Other high prices were paid for Belgian Blue and Limousin cows, the majority of these being over 800kg and selling from €1,640 to €1,730/head. The main run of three-quarter fleshed continental cows sold from €1.50/kg to €1.65/kg, with some selling for up to €1.70/kg. Older and lighter cows carrying less flesh sold mainly from €1.30/kg to €1.50/kg.

Commission rates are €10 to the buyer and 1.4% to the seller.

This Charolais-cross cull cow weighing 890kg sold for €1,760 (€1.98/kg).

This Limousin-cross cull cow weighing 825kg sold for €1,640 (€1.99/kg).

This young Limousin-cross cull cow weighing 710kg sold for €1,430 (€2.01/kg).