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Nathan Tuffy on 01 Apr 2017

Feeder and farmer activity drives cattle prices in Balla

Despite heavy rain in much of the west on Friday night, grass buyers were out and were active for all types of stores cattle and weanlings, while feeders sourced forward cattle at premium prices.

Nathan Tuffy

1 April 2017

Feeder and farmer activity drives cattle prices in Balla

This Angus cross heifer, born January 2016 and weighing 410kg, sold for €990 (€2.41/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer, born February 2015 and weighing 310kg, sold for €870 (€2.81/kg).

This Angus cross heifer, born March 2015 and weighing 480kg, sold for €980 (€2.04/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer, born September 2015 and weighing 490kg, sold for €1,220 (€2.49/kg).

These two Limousin cross heifers, born April 2015 and weighing 482kg on average, sold for €1,260 each (€2.61/kg).

This Angus cross bullock, born June 2016 and weighing 315kg, sold for €1,040 (€3.30/kg).

This Limousin cross bullock, born January 2016 and weighing 395kg, sold for €1,050 (€2.66/kg).

This Angus cross bullock, born April 2015 and weighing 505kg, sold for €1,085 (€2.15/kg).

This Charolais cross bullock, born April 2015 and weighing 700kg, sold for €1,620 (€2.31/kg).

This Charolais cross bullock, born April 2015 and weighing 675kg, sold for €1,595 (€2.36/kg).

There was another strong entry of more than 800 cattle on offer at Balla Mart on Saturday, which were met with another strong trade. Heifers

There was another strong entry of more than 800 cattle on offer at Balla Mart on Saturday, which were met with another strong trade.

Heifers

In the heifer ring there was intense demand for forward heifers suitable for finishing. Good-quality types over 600kg sold easily from €800 to €850 over the weight.

Those from 500kg to 600kg were a solid trade and sold from €600 to €700 over the weight, with top-quality types making up to €750 over.

Lighter stores were a solid trade, but did not hit the heights of the forward heifers. Those from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €900 to €1,200.

There was a share of light heifers on offer also, which sold mainly from €750 to €950 for those from 300kg to 400kg.

This Charolais cross heifer, born March 2015 and weighing 620kg, sold for €1,540 (€2.48/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer, born May 2015 and weighing 360kg, sold for €1,065 (€2.96/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer, born December 2015 and weighing 500kg, sold for €1,250 (€2.50/kg).

Bullocks

The trade for forward-feeding bullocks was very strong.

Those over 600kg were not very plentiful and prices ranged mainly from €700 to €850 along with the weight, with feeders very active for all suitable finishing cattle. The trade for lighter types was primarily driven by farmer demand.

Bullocks over 600kg were a similar trade to forward heifers, selling mainly from €800 to €950 along with the weight. Average-quality bullocks in that weight range sold mainly from €700 to €850 along with the weight.

Demand for store Angus and Herefords in the same weight range was steady and they sold mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg. The average 450kg steer sold mainly from €550 to €700 along with the weight, with better-quality types making up to €800 over.

This Charolais cross bullock, born January 2016 and weighing 420kg, sold for €1,255 (€3/kg).

This Charolais cross bullock, born April 2015 and weighing 535kg, sold for €1,290 (€2.41/kg).

This Charolais cross bullock, born February 2015 and weighing 690kg, sold for €1,585 (€2.30/kg).

Weanlings

There was a good share of weanling heifers on offer.

Exporters were active again for light store bulls, while farmers were the main buyer of bulls from 300kg to 400kg. Those from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €750/head for plain types to €900/head for top-quality bulls.

This Charolais cross weanling bull, born May 2016 and weighing 395kg, sold for €880 (€2.23/kg).

Cull cows

The cull cow ring saw another strong trade for all types of cows. Even Friesian cross feeding cows sold from €300 over the weight and upwards.

Some plain cows sold from €200 to €250 along with the weight. The average 600kg store cow was selling from €900 to €1,100/head, with fleshed cows selling mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg.

Simple solutions for suckler success

Cattle prices regularly break €3/kg mark at Gortatlea Mart