Top-quality forward bullocks sell to €815 over the weight at Balla Mart

There was a good rise in numbers at Balla Mart this week, up from over 400 last week. All three rings were in use with the larger entry. The average prices at the sale were up on the same week last year and the quality of cattle on offer was fairly good, although there were some plainer cattle available also.

Bullocks

Heavy bullocks were a good trade once again, with most of those over 600kg selling for almost €2.15/kg on average. Those from 500kg to 600kg sold to a top price of €815 over the weight, with prices ranging mainly from €2.15/kg to €2.25/kg.

Store bullocks from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality types, with top-quality bullocks making up to €700 along with the weight. Bullocks under 400kg were fairly plentiful and there was strong demand for all good-quality types. Prices of these averaged around €2.30/kg.

Weanling bulls from 350kg to 450kg were a strong trade, with prices ranging mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg. Lighter types ranged mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.55/kg.

This Limousin five-star heifer, born November 2016 and weighing 370kg, sold for €850 (€2.30/kg).

This Limousin heifer, born March 2016 and weighing 530kg, sold for €1,275 (€2.41/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer, born April 2016 and weighing 570kg, sold for €1,280 (€2.25/kg).

Heifers

The heifer trade was strong, with plenty of buyers for all types. Plainer ones continue to be a slower sell but good-quality and heavy heifers were a strong trade. There were about 200 on offer, with prices topping out at €1,670 which was paid for a 790kg Simmental. Most heifers over 500kg sold from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg.

Stores from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.25/kg to €2.35/kg for average-quality heifers. One 490kg Charolais heifer made €1,235 or €2.52/kg. Heifers under 400kg sold mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg.

This Limousin cross heifer, born August 2015 and weighing 525kg, sold for €1,200 (€2.29/kg).

This Limousin cross heifer, born May 2016 and weighing 400kg, was bid to €1,010 but did not sell (€2.53/kg).

Cows

The cow sale saw 150 on offer but most of these were culls. Prices topped out at €1,770 for a cow with a calf at foot, with others selling from €1,200 to €1,400. Cull cows sold to €1,660 for 860kg, with prices averaging from €1.60/kg to €1.70/kg.

This first-calved cow with a January 2018-born Limousin five-star heifer calf at foot sold for €1,410.

This second-calved four-star cow with a Belgian Blue bull calf at foot, born October 2017, sold for €1,600.

This Frieisan cull cow, born 2006 and weighing 565kg, sold for €680 (€1.20/kg).

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Forward cattle in demand at Enniskillen Mart