The general trade was good at Dowra Mart on Saturday last, with most farmers happy with the prices. Plainer-type cattle were harder sold, but there was plenty of farmer buyer activity showing strong confidence in the market.
There was a special entry of 35 Limousin heifer calves with weights ranging from 320kg to 420kg, as well as 30 Limousin-cross bull weanlings with weights averaging between 400kg and 500kg from Enniscrone.
Bullocks
Heavy bullocks over 600kg sold mainly from €670 to €830 along with the weight, with some 700kg types making well over €1,500. Steers from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.15/kg, with the top animals making from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg.
Lighter bullocks weighing from 400kg to 500kg sold from €1.96/kg to €2.27/kg for average-quality types and for up to €2.50/kg for top-quality types.
Heifers
Older heifers weighing from 400kg to 500kg, were generally available in good numbers. Average-quality types made from €1.95/kg to €2.40/kg, with the top third making from €2.50/kg to €2.68/kg.
Weanling bulls
Weanling bulls with weights ranging from 250kg to 400kg attracted plenty of interest from farmers. Prices ranged mainly from €750 to €1,150/head for quality types or €2.30/kg to €2.75/kg, with plain types making €680 to €800.
Weanling heifers
As it was Dowra Mart’s annual showing sale for heifer weanlings, there was a huge number of animals on show. Trade was brisk, with some top-quality weanlings making between €2.50/kg and €2.90/kg, with some making well over €700 with the weight. There was little difference in price between five-star weanlings and animals with a lower star rating. Lighter, good-quality heifers weighing between 200kg and 300kg were in high demand with a lot of interest from farmers.
Dry cows
There was a smaller show of dry cows than the previous week, with less demand from buyers, resulting in a small drop in price, but some heavy top-quality factory-fit cows still achieved from €500 to €600 along with the weight.
Sheep
The sheep trade was steady, with a large clearance reported and farmers generally happy with prices. Breeding sheep and ewe lambs had started to come out in much higher numbers, with some quality ewe lambs making well over €100.
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