It was very much a seller’s mart, with buyers commenting on quality cattle being dear.

There was an exceptional turnout of bull weanlings, with a high proportion over 400kg and many of these making up to and over €1,000/head.

Manager John O’Mahony was very happy with the turnout and the state of the trade, with almost a full clearance. He said: "There are more weanlings from the dairy herds being presented and these are meeting a slightly tougher trade. Bullocks are an improved trade lately as more customers are looking to fill sheds in recent weeks.”

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Weanling bull sample prices

Weanling bulls sold from €290 with the weight to €695 with the weight.

  • One Charolais bull 475kg − €1,170, €2.46/kg
  • One Charolais bull 340kg − €990, €2.91/kg
  • Two Limousin bulls 275kg − €790, €2.87/kg
  • Three Limousin bulls 271kg − €865, €3.19/kg
  • One Charolais bull 310kg − €820, €2.65/kg

    • Weanling heifers sample prices

    Heifers were a slightly tougher trade than bulls.

  • One Belgian Blue heifer 355kg − €970, €2.73/kg
  • Three Charolais heifers 280kg − €765, €2.73/kg
  • Three Belgian Blue heifers 321kg − €790, €2.46/kg
  • One Limousin heifer 320kg − €840, €2.63/kg
  • Three Charolais heifers 328kg − €775, €2.36/kg

    • Bullocks

    As with most southern marts, spring 2015 bullocks close to 500kg and above were a good sell. Prices for Friesians are heavily dependent on grading ability, with P grading cattle a tougher sell.

    Hereford and Angus bullocks sold from €250 up to €450 over the euro per kilo, with continentals making from €310 up to €730 with their weight.

    Bullock sample price

  • Two Herefords 450kg − €900, €2/kg
  • Six Herefords 435kg − €870, €2/kg
  • One Limousin 645kg − €1,375, €2.13/kg
  • Two Charolais 530kg- €1,150, €2.17/kg
  • Four Friesians 522kg − €830, €1.59/kg

    • Store heifers

    There were 80 heifers on sale, with a full clearance. Trade remains toughest for heifers at present, with only exceptional lots beating the €2/kg mark.

  • One Limousin 380kg − €785, €2.07/kg
  • Two Simmental 442kg − €890, €2.01/kg
  • One Charolais 370kg − €760, €2.05
  • Two Angus 555kg − €1,020, €1.84/kg

    • Read more

    Prices hit €2.80/kg in Skibbereen