Saturday’s fatstock sale in Ballybofey and Stranorlar Mart followed on from its November sale, with cull cows and finished cattle more to the fore this time round.

There was huge demand for finished lots from factory agents and northern-based buyers, as the final push for the Christmas kill took place.

Heavy finished cows were popular, with price per kilo comparable with heifer prices.

Cows weighing from 800kg to 900kg averaged €3.08/kg for Belgian Blue-cross animals and €2.91/kg for Limousin-cross.

Heavy cows from 900kg to 1,000kg saw some of the top prices per kg, with €3.19/kg and €2.93/kg for Belgian Blue-cross and Limousin-cross respectively.

The top price in the fat cow section was for a Belgian Blue-cross cow weighing 902kg that sold for €3,180 (€3.52/kg).

Heifers met demand from butchers, agents and farmers seeking top-quality replacements.

Top-quality U grading heifers with breeding potential traded from €3.30/kg to €5.26/kg, with R grading types running between €2.80/kg and €3/kg. Top price in the heifers went to a Limousin-cross animal weighing 788kg that sold for €4,000 (€5.07/kg).

Steers found the stickiest trade, with agents seeking factory-fit cattle. Quality fleshed steers sold in excess of €2.90/kg.