Camera at the mart attended the weekly cattle sale at Armoy Mart on Monday evening, where a big entry of more than 200 animals were forwarded for sale.

Prices for heavier cattle have eased in recent weeks, but lighter store animals continue to be an excellent trade, with plenty of buyers on hand for good-quality lots suited to grazing.

This Angus bullock, weighing 595kg and 20 months old, sold for £1,080.

Mart manager Danny McAlister commented on the sale, saying that falling beef prices are impacting on buying demand, with finishers less active on heavy fleshed animals.

He added that buyers are switching focus to younger, more long-term store cattle rather than forward lots suited to a short intensive finishing period.

This Limousin bullock, weighing 350kg and nine months old, sold for £805.

Prices reached a top price of £1,200, which was paid on two occasions, once for a 720kg Belgian Blue bullock and again for a 600kg Angus bullock.

A big entry of Angus cattle was met with steady demand, with prices heavily reflected in the quality and weight of stock on offer.

This Angus heifer, weighing 620kg and 29 months old, sold for £980.

Angus bullocks over 600kg typically sold from £1,035 to £1,100, with forward lots weighing over 500kg from £970 to £1,080. Lighter types sold from £665 to £945.

Continental bullocks sold to £1,045 for a 600kg Charolais. Lighter types sold from £665 for a 360kg animal rising to £900 for a 440kg animal.

This Angus heifer, weighing 630kg and 28 months old, sold for £1,065.

Limousin types sold from £805 for a 350kg animal rising to £1,080 for a 605kg animal. Simmental bullocks were limited in number, with lighter grazing types weighing 300kg to 350kg selling from £695 to £735.

Friesian bullocks were a slower trade for lighter types. Heavier lots were met with stronger demand, but buyers were working to a price limit of 90p to 135p/kg, with £820 paid on a 600kg Holstein bullock.

This Belgian Blue bullock, weighing 720kg and 29 months old, sold for £1,200.

Heifers sold to a top price of £1,065 for a 630kg Angus, with £1,000 paid on another Angus animal weighing 530kg.

Forward Angus types sold upwards from £970, with lighter types making £650 to £750 depending on weight.

This Angus heifer, weighing 620kg and 26 months old, sold for £1,035.

Limousin heifers sold from £600 for a 300kg animal rising to £1,040 for a heifer weighing 530kg. Charolais types sold from £640 for lighter grazing types at 280kg rising to £800 for a 370kg animal.

Belgian Blue heifers sold to £770 for a 400kg lot followed by £720 for a 390kg animal.