There was another strong entry of more than 800 cattle on offer at Balla Mart on Saturday, which were met with another strong trade.
Heifers
In the heifer ring there was intense demand for forward heifers suitable for finishing. Good-quality types over 600kg sold easily from €800 to €850 over the weight.
Those from 500kg to 600kg were a solid trade and sold from €600 to €700 over the weight, with top-quality types making up to €750 over.
Lighter stores were a solid trade, but did not hit the heights of the forward heifers. Those from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €900 to €1,200.
There was a share of light heifers on offer also, which sold mainly from €750 to €950 for those from 300kg to 400kg.
This Charolais cross heifer, born March 2015 and weighing 620kg, sold for €1,540 (€2.48/kg).
This Charolais cross heifer, born May 2015 and weighing 360kg, sold for €1,065 (€2.96/kg).
This Charolais cross heifer, born December 2015 and weighing 500kg, sold for €1,250 (€2.50/kg).
Bullocks
The trade for forward-feeding bullocks was very strong.
Those over 600kg were not very plentiful and prices ranged mainly from €700 to €850 along with the weight, with feeders very active for all suitable finishing cattle. The trade for lighter types was primarily driven by farmer demand.
Bullocks over 600kg were a similar trade to forward heifers, selling mainly from €800 to €950 along with the weight. Average-quality bullocks in that weight range sold mainly from €700 to €850 along with the weight.
Demand for store Angus and Herefords in the same weight range was steady and they sold mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg. The average 450kg steer sold mainly from €550 to €700 along with the weight, with better-quality types making up to €800 over.
This Charolais cross bullock, born January 2016 and weighing 420kg, sold for €1,255 (€3/kg).
This Charolais cross bullock, born April 2015 and weighing 535kg, sold for €1,290 (€2.41/kg).
This Charolais cross bullock, born February 2015 and weighing 690kg, sold for €1,585 (€2.30/kg).
Weanlings
There was a good share of weanling heifers on offer.
Exporters were active again for light store bulls, while farmers were the main buyer of bulls from 300kg to 400kg. Those from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €750/head for plain types to €900/head for top-quality bulls.
This Charolais cross weanling bull, born May 2016 and weighing 395kg, sold for €880 (€2.23/kg).
Cull cows
The cull cow ring saw another strong trade for all types of cows. Even Friesian cross feeding cows sold from €300 over the weight and upwards.
Some plain cows sold from €200 to €250 along with the weight. The average 600kg store cow was selling from €900 to €1,100/head, with fleshed cows selling mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg.