The weather didn’t dampen the mood around the ring too much at Balla Mart on Saturday, although bullock prices were a little easier than the previous week.

This could be down to it being a smaller entry, with perhaps a reduced number of top-quality cattle.

This 445kg Limousin heifer born May 2018 sold for €1,010 (€2.27/kg).

Looking at the averages, bullocks were back around 4c/kg.

Bullocks from 350kg to 400kg averaged €2.24/kg, with €2.45/kg to €2.55/kg being achieved for well-conformed continental lots.

This 455kg April 2019-born Belgian Blue heifer sold for €1,430 (€3.14/kg).

Plainer-type cattle were making €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg, with a typical range of €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg available for better-quality animals.

Heifer prices were similar to last week.

This 520kg March 2018-born Charolais heifer sold for €1,140 (€2.19/kg).

Again, anything with a bit of style or breeding potential was able to get a bit more.

Top price

The top price/head on the day was €1,560 paid for a Belgian Blue heifer weighing 510kg (€3.06/kg).

The top price per kilo was a for another Belgian Blue heifer. This one was born in April 2019, weighed 455kg and made €3.14/kg or €1,430.

This 695kg 2009-born cow sold for €1,240 (1.78/kg).

A large entry of heifers in the 500kg to 600kg weight band saw an average price of €2.12/kg.

Plainer types were making €1.85/kg to €2.00/kg, while €2.10/kg to €2.25/kg was being paid for good-quality continental cattle.

This 535kg April 2018-born bullock sold for €1,040 (€1.94/kg).

Dry cows averaged €1.57/kg, with Friesian cows averaging €1.08/kg.

Better-type feeding cows made €1.55/kg to €1.65/kg, while younger and better-conformed types made €1.75/kg to €1.90/kg in the main.