Camera at the Mart: keen farmer demand remains in Ballina

There was little dampening of trade in Ballina-based Mayo-Sligo Mart’s general cattle sale on Tuesday last, with buyers active for all types of stock.

While there were low numbers of heavy-type bullocks and heifers on offer, those that were present met with a firm demand, while weanlings and lighter stores were keenly sought after, mainly by farmer buyers who dominated the trade.

In the cull cow ring, all types were a sharp trade, with both dairy and beef-bred cows being scooped up by factory agents and feeders alike.

Mart manager Billy Loftus said: “Farmers are generally very happy with price, given the way the factory trade has gone. Tuesday’s sale was stronger than previous weeks, with high online activity.”

Bullocks

Approximately 160 bullocks and bull weanlings passed through ring one, with the majority of cattle on offer being store-type animals and lighter bull weanlings.

Bull weanlings from 200kg to 300kg averaged €5.89/kg, with a top of €7.48/kg being paid, while lots weighing from 300kg to 400kg averaged €5.01/kg, topping out at €6.15/kg.

A share of late-summer/autumn-bred bull weanlings were the sharpest on a price-per-kilo basis.

Bull weanlings weighing above 400kg averaged just shy of €5/kg at €4.96/kg.

In the bullocks, lots weighing from 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.68/kg, with a top of €5.81/kg being paid in this weight band.

Lots weighing from 500kg to 600kg were made up of both finished dairy-beef lots and forward suckler beef cattle, averaging €4.37/kg, with prices up to €4.80/kg paid.

Heavier bullocks from 600kg to 700kg averaged €4.21/kg, with those 700kg-plus averaging an impressive €4.21/kg.

Heifer weanlings weighing 200kg to 300kg averaged a strong €5.76/kg, with tops of €7.97/kg being paid.

Lots between 300kg and 400kg followed close behind at an average of €5.71/kg, topping out €6.36/kg.

In the heifers, a strong demand from farmers was seen yet again, with heifers between 400kg and 500kg averaging €4.69/kg, while lots from 500kg to 600kg coming in at an average price of €4.41/kg. A selection of heavier heifers from 600kg to 700kg averaged €4.19/kg across the board.

The dry cow ring saw lots between 500kg and 600kg average €3.55/kg, with tops of €4.36/kg, while lots from 600kg to 700kg averaged €3.31/kg, topping out at €4.00/kg. Heavy cows weighing 700kg to 900kg averaged €3.63/kg to a high of €4.23/kg.