Camera at the Mart attended the weekly sale of calves and weanlings in Kilrea Mart on Thursday last.
With a smaller show of 170 cattle, there was a sharper edge to the trade. Calves in particular were met with extremely strong buying demand, with beef-cross calves leading the trade.
Buyers were most active on stronger calves coming close to weaning. However, young calves were still an easy sell.
Mart manager Mark Stewart commented on the sale, saying that the calf trade continues to be an exceptionally strong market, with no let-up in buying demand.
He added that buyers are very competitive for continental beef-bred animals and are paying strong prices in relation to other classes of stock.
Bull calves sold to a top price of £468 for a super Angus calf weaned off milk.
Other stand-out prices for Angus calves saw reared lots selling to £427.
Younger calves born in April and early May sold from £300 to £380, with late May- and June-born calves making upwards from £200 per head for good-quality animals.
Limousin bull calves sold to a peak of £445 for strong calves weaned off milk.
Noted prices
Other noted prices saw stronger Limousin bulls making £322 to £350, with late May-born animals making £170 to £300, depending on size and quality.
Strong Montbelliard bull calves sold to £420 for reared sorts, with younger calves making £160 to £260 for better-quality beef-cross lots.
Belgian Blue bull calves sold to £360 for May-born animals, with several lots making upwards from £300.
A limited entry of Herefords sold from £150 to £225, with reared Friesians making £330.
Stabiliser bull calves sold from £90 to £205.
Heifer calves sold to £397 for strong Angus-bred animals, with younger lots selling from £230 to £300.
Limousin heifers sold to £300, with other good-quality lots selling around the £270 mark.
Blue heifer calves sold to £368 for May-born animals, with multiple lots at a similar age selling upwards of £300.
Simmental heifers sold to £315, with Hereford heifers making £345, while a Charolais calf sold to £345.
Farmers need that extra 1.5c/l to pay the massive bills – IFA