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Camera at the Mart attended the weekly sale of prime cattle in Keady on Friday last. With another good entry of stock being forwarded for sale, there was a much sharper edge to the trade, fuelled by a good turnout of buyers.
Cattle met with the most demand were heavy-fleshed, slaughter-fit animals, followed by lighter stores.
Commenting on the trade, mart manager Brendan Reavey said that buyers were extremely competitive on heavier cattle in comparison to previous weeks. As a result, prices on top-quality U grading animals were running ahead of the factory trade. He added that cattle quality was excellent, with a terrific show of animals also helping to underpin prices.
Brendan also said there is a growing trend of farmers buying strong weanlings and lighter store cattle due to market uncertainty.
He said farmers are buying cattle around the 400kg mark to winter and graze next year, rather than forward cattle suited to finishing later this year.
Heifers were an exceptional trade, with specialist finishers competing hard for numbers. Prices reached a peak of £1,525 for a 690kg Limousin, followed by a 715kg Charolais making £1,510.
Short-keep heifers regularly sold above £1,200, with one 610kg Charolais making £1,230 and plainer lots making over £1,100.
Lighter heifers suited to killing next spring were a steady trade. Animals weighing 500kg to 550kg made £900 to £1,000, with top-quality lots making upwards of £1,050. Heifers below 500kg typically sold from £700 to £900.
A tremendous show of bullocks saw prices reach a peak of £1,470 for a Limousin animal weighing 810kg.
Other stand-out prices saw a 715kg Limousin making £1,425, with £1,370 paid for another Limousin weighing 665kg.
Native breeds were also an easy sell. Brisk bidding saw slaughter-fit Angus bullocks making £1,300 to £1,350 on numerous occasions.
In contrast, good-quality feeding bullocks weighing 550kg to 630kg were a steadier trade, with prices of £1,000 to £1,150 covering the main run of cattle at the outlined weight.
There were some noticeable exceptions, with one 620kg Charolais making £1,280.
Light store bullocks typically sold from £800 to £1,000.
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