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Saturday’s sale at Balla Mart saw a much increased number of cattle on offer.
All three rings were in operation and there was a strong trade all around. There was a larger entry of forward bullocks over 600kg, and these sold mainly from €2/kg for R grades to €2.25/kg for U grades, with some top-quality cattle making over €750 along with the weight.g, with better-quality types fetching up to €2.30/kg.
Store bullocks from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €500 to €650 along with the weight.
Heifers
The heifer trade was slightly stronger than the previous week, with prices up marginally as a result. Heifers over 500kg sold mainly from €1,100 to €1,250, or €600 to €750 over the weight.
Those from 400kg to 500kg were more plentiful and average-quality types sold mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.35/kg, with top-quality U grades fetching up to €2.50/kg.
Weanlings
Weanling bulls were met with firm demand and prices ranged mainly from €800 to €950 for the average 350kg to 400kg animal. Better-quality bulls made from €920 to €1,050 for some top-quality heavy types.
Bulls from 200kg to 300kg sold mainly from €600 to €730 for average-quality 250kg to 300kg types, and from €700 to €850 for top-quality 250kg to 300kg types.
Weanling heifers were a slightly stronger trade than the equivalent bull, with 300kg to 400kg types selling mainly from €750 to €900, and top-quality 350kg heifers making €950 to €1,000.
This Charolais cross bull, born January 2016 and weighing 345kg, sold for €800 (€2.32/kg).
Cull cows
The cull cow ring saw a very lively trade. Feeding cows sold mainly from €1.45/kg to €1.70/kg, with those carrying flesh making from €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg.
Factory-fit types were met with the best demand and prices ranged mainly from €1.85/kg to €2/kg, with up to €2.10/kg paid for top-quality U grade types.
Headford Mart saw another strong trade also.
Bullocks sold mainly from €500 to €670 over for suckler-bred types. The top bullock, weighing 580kg, sold for €1,250. Heifers sold from €320 to €675, with top-quality lots making up to €800 over the weight. Weanling heifers sold from €320 to €675, with better-quality types making from €500 to €600 over the weight. Good-quality weanling bulls made from €400 to €700.
Cull cows sold from €700 to €1,300, with suckler cows selling from €1,050 to €1,250.
In the sheep sale, ewes made from €80 to €90, with lambs selling from €52 to €105.
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