Camera at the mart: forward stores holding firm at Enniskillen

Camera at the mart attended the weekly cattle sale at the Ulster Farmers Market, Enniskillen. After an exceptionally strong autumn period in terms of cattle throughput, there was a slightly reduced sale entry on Thursday last.

However, cattle quality remains good, with weanlings and store cattle coming off grass carrying plenty of condition.

Mart manager James Johnston commented on the sale, saying that despite a slower beef trade, buyers remain competitive for heavy fleshed and short-keep store animals.

Good-quality continental types are an excellent trade compared with factory prices. He added that there is a price gap opening between good-quality weanlings and plainer lots, with plenty of customers on hand for bulls and steers.

Cull cow prices have eased in recent weeks, but younger cows in good condition remain an easy sell, whereas plainer types are a difficult trade.

In the bullock ring, heavy cattle typically sold from 190p to 220p/kg, with a top price of £1,305 paid for a 640kg Charolais animal. Other noted prices saw £1,290 paid for a 604kg Charolais, with £1,285 paid on a 716kg Angus.

A Limousin bullock weighing 628kg sold to £1,248, with Hereford bullocks making £1,115 to £1,200. Top price per kilo ran to 224p/kg for a 518kg Charolais making £1,160.

Mid-weight stores sold from 205p to 232p/kg for a 448kg Charolais which made £1,040, with several animals weighing 400kg to 450kg making £900 to £1,020. Lighter types sold from 215p to 248p/kg, with a 320kg Charolais making £795.

Heifers sold to a top price of £1,260 for a 620kg Charolais animal, with short-keep animals making upwards from £1,100. Mid-weight stores sold from 192p to 246p/kg, with a 325kg Charolais making £800.

Weanling bulls and steers sold from £650 to £960 for a 390kg Charolais. Limousin bulls sold to £905 for a 440kg animal, with a 440kg Limousin steer making £930.

Weanling heifers typically sold from £500 to £800 for a 340kg Charolais, with a 415kg Limousin heifer making £835.

Fat cows sold to 180p/kg for a 710kg Charolais which made £1,280, with £1,030 to £1,165 paid on fleshed animals. Plainer cows sold from 82p to 165p/kg, with a steady trade for feeding cows. Friesian cows sold to 102p/kg for a 550kg, making £560.

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