Inisowen Co-operative Mart in Carndonagh, Co Donegal, has seen a gradual increase in throughput levels and the number of farmers looking to source cattle in recent weeks.

According to mart manager Harry Molloy, the spike in numbers on offer is normal, with their busiest autumn sales period generally being October and early November.

Harry says that if you were to judge last Monday’s weanling sale solely on average prices recorded, it could paint a perception of a slightly easier trade for weanling bulls. However, this was not the case, with average prices being reduced by a dilution in quality.

Good-quality Charolais bulls weighing 250kg to 380kg were met with the best demand by farmers looking for bulls to castrate and run in a steer production system. Prices ranged on average from €2.50/kg to €2.80/kg for the better-quality lots on offer, with top prices rising to and in cases exceeding €3/kg.

Lesser-quality bulls were a harder sell, with prices starting at €2/kg for bulls lacking shape or described as being off-colour or possessing poor weight for age and rising to €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg for R grading bulls.

“You will very quickly see the importance of quality once animals enter the ring. There could be 10 buyers or more interested in the good-quality Charolais and, to a lesser extent, Limousin weanlings, while bulls that were mousy-coloured or plain could have just two buyers interested and not willing to compete to the same level,” said Harry.

This was also evident for heavier bulls. Plainer bulls sold from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg, with good U grading bulls suitable for finishing in an under-16-month system selling to €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg, with a top price of €1,400 or €2.56/kg paid for a 548kg Charolais bull.

Harry said the recent release of BPS payments has also helped to boost demand, with the heifer trade lifting.

Prices for R grading heifers weighing 300kg to 380kg ranged from €2.15/kg to €2.35/kg, while an entry of better-quality U grading heifers and lots with breeding potential sold from €2.50/kg to €2.70/kg, with a top price of €1,270 or €3.48/kg paid for a well-conformed 366kg gold-coloured Charolais heifer. Commission rates are €8 to the buyer and 2.5% (minimum €10, maximum €15) to the seller.