This week, Camera at the Ringside was at last Thursday’s general cattle sale in Listowel Mart. Mart manager Barney O’Connell said that there was a very strong entry on the day, with overall numbers up on the same week as last year and also year-on-year.

There was a strong grass buyer contingent active for all cattle types, with stores most in demand. Good-quality continental store bullocks from 450kg to 550kg sold from €2.60/kg to €2.80/kg.

Barney said that one thing which is becoming more evident this year is the clear gap which has emerged between Angus cattle and Herefords.

Listowel gets a substantial amount of traditional breed cattle in the area. Barney said that this year in particular there was increased demand for Herefords with feeders and grass buyers quite active. He said that there was firm demand for heifers also – those from 450kg to 550kg sold mainly from €2.50/kg to €2.80/kg, with continentals fetching prices at the higher end of the spectrum.

Lighter heifers sold mainly from €2.60/kg to €2.90/kg, with strong interest in quality types with potential for breeding. Demand for British Friesians is quite strong also, with light types around 300kg selling freely from €600 to €650/head.

Cull cows were a solid trade, with plenty of demand from finishers for well-fleshed cows, which saw prices of €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg paid for Friesians. Feeding types sold from €1.50/kg upwards.

There was a good entry of weanlings on offer also. Light Angus and Herefords from 200kg to 250kg sold for about €400 over on average, or about €650 per head. Commission rates are €8 to €9 to the buyer and 1.6% to the seller, along with a €2/head entry fee.