There was another seasonally large entry of stock on offer today at Balla Mart. While top-quality heavy bullocks, heifers and stores were a strong trade, prices of plainer cattle were a little easier than last week.

Bullocks

The best demand in the bullock ring was for good-quality Charolais and Limousin heavy bullocks suitable for slaughter or short keep. On several occasions, bullocks close to 700kg sold form €1,450 to €1,500/head.

This Charolais cross bullock, born March 2016 and weighing 700kg, sold for €1,380 (€1.97/kg).

Good-quality in-spec bullocks over 600kg sold mainly from €780 to €900 along with the weight for better-quality types.

This Charolais cross bullock, born March 2016 and weighing 685kg, sold for €1,480 (€2.16/kg).

This Limousin cross bullock, born April 2017 and weighing 450kg, sold for €1,090 (€2.42/kg).

The majority of good R+ and U grade heavy bullocks sold from €750 to €800 along with the weight, maybe a little easier than previous weeks. Lighter forward store bullocks from 500kg to 600kg were a similar trade to last week but some were a little easier. They sold mainly from €980 to €1,250/head for average-quality types.

Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg were selling mainly from €650 to €750 along with the weight.

This Limousin cross bullock, born June 2017 and weighing 465kg, sold for €1,080 (€2.33/kg).

This Limousin cross bullock, born June 2017 and weighing 385kg, sold for €725 (€1.88/kg).

This Charolais cross bullock, born February 2017 and weighing 510kg, sold for €1,155 (€2.26/kg).

This Charolais cross bullock, born March 2017 and weighing 475kg, sold for €1,075 (€2.26/kg).

Heifers

The heifer ring saw a steady to slightly easier trade. There was good buyer activity for heifers with breeding potential and good finishing potential. Those with breeding potential were a strong trade, with many better-quality lots over 450kg making around €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg and a little more at times.

This Limousin-cross heifer, born May 2017 and weighing 490kg, sold for €1,110 (€2.27/kg).

This Belgian Blue cross heifer, born May 2016 and weighing 540kg, sold for €1,250 (€2.31/kg).

Heavy heifers over 600kg were a little more common than previous weeks and these were a flying trade. They sold mainly from €1,250 to over €1,450/head. Store R+ and U grade heifers from 500kg to 600kg were a strong trade also and sold mainly from €1,100 to €1,200 with a little more buyer activity this week.

This Charolais cross heifer, born March 2017 and weighing 560kg, sold for €1,275 (€2.28/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer, born May 2017 and weighing 490kg, sold for €1,275 (€2.60/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer, born May 2017 and weighing 485kg, sold for €1,070 (€2.21/kg).

This Angus cross heifer, born October 2017 and weighing 390kg, sold for €890 (€2.28/kg).

Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg were a little stronger also, with more farmers actively buying. These sold mainly from €900 to €1,100 depending on quality.

Cull cows

The majority of cull cows with flesh were selling from €250 to €350 over the weight with top-quality cows making over €450 along with the weight. Old and plain cows sold from the weight to €150 over.