With the country now in full lockdown, the sale of cattle will be minimal in the coming weeks. However, where farmers do sell direct to another farmer, we look at what prices they should be getting for them.

Probably the fairest way to sell is to weigh and sell by weight. Once both parties agree that the scales is accurate and agree a price, it gives great peace of mind to both sides. Judging the weight of cattle is difficult to do accurately unless you have a keen eye for it.

Bullocks from 500kg to 600kg

Farmers with Friesian bullocks from 500kg to 600kg to sell should be expecting to get between €1.40/kg and €1.60/kg. This would mean that a 550kg Friesian bullock should be selling from €770/head to €880/head. In the same weight range, Hereford-cross bullocks were making from €1.75/kg to €1.90/kg, with Angus bullocks selling at similar levels. Prices for these are back by about 15c/kg on recent weeks. On a price per head basis, the average 550kg Angus or Hereford bullock would be making from €960/head to €1,045/head.

Charolais- and Limousin-cross bullocks were still met with strong demand and these were selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg for average-quality types, with U grades making over €2.30/kg. On a price per head basis, this translates into €1,100 to €1,210 for R grades and up to €1,280 for U grades at 550kg.

Bullocks from 400kg to 500kg

Friesian bullocks from 400kg to 500kg are selling for a little less than heavier types on a price per kilo basis. The average Friesian bullock is making from €1.35/kg to €1.55/kg, depending on quality and age. On a per-head basis, this translates to €600/head to €700/head for 450kg Friesians.

Like heavier bullocks, Angus and Hereford bullocks from 400kg to 500kg are selling from €1.75/kg to €1.90/kg or from €790/head to €855/head. In some areas, prices of up to €2.00kg were paid for better-quality Herefords, or €900/head.

Continentals in the same weight range are selling from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg for average quality R grades. This translates to €945/head to €1,000/head, with U grades making from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg or from €1,035 to €1,130/head.

Weanling bulls 300kg-400kg

Average-quality continental bulls from 300kg to 400kg are selling mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg, or from €805/head to €850/head. Top-quality types are making from €2.60/kg to €2.80/kg or from €900 to €980/head for 350kg. Angus bulls from 300kg to 400kg are making from €1.90/kg to €2.15/kg or from €665/head to €750/head for 350kg.

Weanling bulls from 200kg to 300kg

Continental bulls from 200kg to 300kg are selling mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg for average-quality types or from €600/head to €650/head for 250kg, while Angus crosses from dairy herds are making just over twice the weight. The top third in quality terms of continental bulls are making from €2.80/kg to €3.10/kg or from €700/head to €775/head.

Heifers from 500kg to 600kg

Continental heifers from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg or from €1,100 to €1,200/head for average-quality types and for up to €2.38/kg or €1,300/head for U grade 550kg heifers. Angus and Herefords are selling from €1.75/kg to €1.85/kg or from €960/head to €1,020/head.

Heifers from 400kg to 500kg

Charolais and Limousin heifers are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality types, or from €990/head to €1,035/head for 450kg. U grades are making from €2.40/kg to €2.55/kg or from €1,080/head to €1,150/head. Angus and Hereford stores are selling from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg or from €810 to €855 for 450kg.

Heifer weanlings from 300kg to 400kg

Average-quality continental heifers from 300kg to 400kg are selling from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg or from €805 to €875 for 350kg heifers. Top-quality heifers in the same weight range are selling from €2.70/kg to €3.00/kg or from €960/head to €1,000/head for top-quality 350kg heifers. Angus heifers from 300kg to 400kg are selling from €1.70/kg to €1.95/kg or from €600/head to €680/head.

Heifer weanlings from 200kg to 300kg

Average-quality continental heifers from 200kg to 300kg are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg or from €550/head to €625/head for 250kg. The top third in terms of quality are selling from €2.80/kg to €3.30/kg or from €700/head to €825/head for 250kg. Hereford and Angus types are selling from €1.80/kg to €2.00/kg or from €450/head to €500/head for 250kg.