Camera at the mart attended the weekly cattle sale at Armoy Mart on Monday evening. There was a smaller entry of cattle compared with the previous week, with 104 animals forwarded for sale. However, limited numbers increased buying competition, with forward cattle an excellent trade.

With a steady beef market, heavy fleshed cattle suited to a short intensive finishing period were in greatest demand with specialist finishers.

The limited sale entry also saw improved prices being paid on dairy-bred cattle, with Friesian cattle selling well.

Mart manager Danny McAlister commented that prices have improved since the beginning of the year.

He added that Monday’s sale was much sharper than last week, with a good turnout of buyers present.

Sale prices peaked at £1,430 for an outstanding Limousin bullock weighing 650kg, with heifers selling to a sale-topping £1,300 for a 660kg Blonde D’Aquitaine animal.

Forward bullocks sold from a general price range of £1,100 to £1,270 for cattle weighing 550kg to 650kg, with good-quality Limousin and Charolais types an easy sell.

Mid-weight bullocks sold from £890 to £1,060 for cattle weighing 450kg to 550kg, with quality strongly influencing price.

Lighter types sold upwards of £700, with a small entry of weanlings making £580 to £700.

Friesian bullocks were a sharp trade. A special entry of heavy fleshed bullocks sold to a peak of £1,210 for a 710kg animal.

Another animal weighing 720kg sold for £1,200, with bullocks weighing 600kg to 660kg selling upwards of £1,000 to £1,060. Lighter Friesians weighing 500kg to 600kg sold from £700 to £940.

Prices paid on forward heifers ranged from £1,100 to £1,160 for cattle weighing 500kg to 550kg, with continental types realising higher prices. Angus types sold from £910 to £1,000.

Mid-weight heifers were a steadier trade and cattle quality was driving demand. Prices for continental types ranged from £810 to £950, with plainer lots selling upwards of £600.

A small entry of cows saw prices peak at £1,140 for a 640kg Limousin cow heifer. Feeding cows sold from £690 to £850, with Friesian cows making £490.