Camera at the Mart: flying trade for weanling bulls and heifers at Dowra

Last Saturday’s sale at Dowra Mart saw a lower number of farmers round ringsides as the mart curtailed numbers. In addition, it was visible that only farmers that were doing business on the day were out, with others opting to keep isolated.

There was a very large entry of cattle on offer, which was met with a very strong trade.

Mart manager Terry McGovern said that there is a little bit of panic buying and selling going on, with fears that rings may close in the future.

However, he added that the marts will do what is required to ensure that the risk to buyers and sellers is low and that farmers still have a way to buy and sell stock.

Despite lower crowds in Dowra than usual, the trade was very strong once again, with farmers and agents very actively sourcing all types of stock. Heavy heifers were met with strong demand. Top-quality U grade heifers over 550kg sold mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg, with average-quality heifers selling mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg.

Heifers from 450kg to 550kg were a very strong trade also, with buyers very active for all types. Prices ranged mainly from €950/head for plainer types right up to €1,200/head for better-quality types.

Heifers from 400kg to 450kg sold mainly from €900 to €1,150/head. Weanling heifers from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €750 to €1,000/head. There were some plainer types on offer also, which sold for around €700/head.

The trade for bullocks was very strong also. Farmer buyers were the backbone of demand, with continental bullocks being met with the strongest demand.

Those from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality types, with U grades selling from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €900 to €1,200/head.

Weanling bulls were a strong trade also, with a lot of interest in all types. The majority of bulls on offer were of a very high quality, but there were some plainer types and dairy-crosses on offer too.

Bulls from 300kg to 400kg were continentals and these sold mainly from €800 to €900/head, with better-quality types selling to over €950/head at times. Plainer bulls in the same weight range sold from €700/head upwards. Commission rates are €9.50 to the buyer and 2% to the seller.