Camera at the mart visited the weekly cattle sale held in Armoy Mart, Co Antrim, on Monday evening. Given the time of year, there was a big showing of cattle, with 168 animals brought forward for sale.

There was a broad mix of cattle from heavy fleshed continental stores, Friesian bullocks, cull cows and light stores to weanlings. Cattle quality was generally good, with some exceptional-quality continental heifers on offer.

Mart manager Danny McAlister commented on the sale, stating that prices are firm as sale numbers start to tail off towards the end of the year.

However, with a strong presence of larger finishers around the ring, there was plenty of bidding for forward cattle suited to a short intensive feeding period before slaughter.

Bullocks

The trade for bullocks peaked at £1,300 for an overage 780kg Friesian. A big entry of Friesian cattle were a solid trade, with finishers keen to buy.

Prices ranged from £900 to £1,050 for better-quality bullocks weighing 590kg to 700kg. Lighter Friesian cattle weighing closer to 500kg were selling from £700 to £850, depending on quality.

Prime bullocks sold to £1,295 for a 650kg Charolais, followed closely by another 650kg Charolais selling to £1,280.

Other noted prices saw heavy bullocks over 600kg sell from £1,100 to £1,250. An entry of Shorthorn bullocks sold to £1,265 for a 22-month-old animal weighing 630kg.

Mid-weight bullocks weighing 450kg to 550kg sold from £750 to £1,050, while lighter bullocks bred from the dairy herd were an easier trade at £600 to £800.

Heifer

Prices for heifers peaked at £1,170 for a 550kg Limousin animal, with other noted prices of £1,120 for a 490kg Charolais and a 495kg Limousin. Prices generally ranged from £1,000 to £1,100 per head for continental types.

Heifers weighing 400kg to 500kg sold from £750 to £990, with a good entry of Angus heifers making £880 to £990.

A small entry of cows with calves at foot sold from £1,000 to £1,140, with fat cows selling to a top price of £1,000 for a 710kg Limousin animal.

Feeding cows sold from £820 to £940 for better-quality animals, with plainer lots selling back to £580.