Watch: bullocks sharper but heifers back in Ennis

There was a variable trade for a large entry of 734 cattle in Ennis Mart on Thursday with bullocks meeting a firmer trade while heifers and cows eased on price.

Demand for bullocks was solid despite recent factory price pressure and inclement weather - with prices up by 5c/kg on average.

In contrast, heifer prices reduced by 10c/kg on the previous week with cows also coming under pressure and reducing on price by about 15c/kg on average.

The top price for a bullock was €3,650 (€4.08/kg), paid for a Charolais-cross weighing 895kg.

MartBids analysis shows bullocks weighing upwards of 600kg averaging €4.03/kg, with the top third averaging €4.40/kg and the bottom third €3.62/kg.

The top third of store bullocks weighing 500kg to 600kg sold for an average of €4.89/kg, with the best-quality stores selling from €5/kg to €5.15/kg.

The top third of bullocks weighing 400kg to 500kg averaged just shy of €5/kg, with the average price at €4.34/kg and the bottom third selling for €3.75/kg.

Heifer trade

Heifers weighing upwards of 600kg sold for an average of €4.02/kg with the top third selling for €4.29/kg and the bottom third at €3.65/kg.

Numbers were small in this category with over 140 heifers weighing from 400kg to 500kg and 500kg to 600kg.

The latter sold on average for €4.26/kg with the top third at €4.83/kg including some breeding types which topped €5/kg.

Watch

These three bullocks averaging 513kg and ranging from 02/04/24 to 24/06/24 sold for €2,650 (€5.17/kg).

This batch of five bullocks averaging 510kg and born from 20/03/24 to 10/05/25 sold for €2,610 (€5.12/kg).

With an average weight of 514kg these bullocks born from 29/03/24 to 28/05/24 sold for €2,570 (€5/kg).

This top-quality bullock weighing 680kg and born 23/06/23 sold for €3,250 (€4.78/kg).

This batch of five bullocks born from 14/02/24 to 24/04/24 and weighing 619kg on average sold for €2,860 (€4.62/kg).

This 580kg Limousin-cross heifer born 03/04/24 sold for €3,350 (€5.78/kg).

Weighing 525kg, this Charolais-cross heifer born 01/04/24 sold for €2,500 (€4.76/kg).

These four two year old Aberdeen Angus-cross heifers weighing 560kg on average sold for €2,050 (€3.66/kg).