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Camera at the mart was at last Thursday’s special weanling sale at Gort Mart. Mart manager Bernie Fahey said that there was an entry of 230 cattle which were met with strong interest from farmers, feeders and exporters.
Farmers were active for good-quality and average-quality bulls and heifers, while feeders were sourcing forward bulls with a view to feeding on intensive meal diets.
One of the main features of the trade was the high quality of animal available. Bernie said that the quality was extremely high and even better than the previous year.
She added that the farmers who showed stock have to be commended on the quality of the breeding behind the animals.
The number of weanling bulls from 200kg to 300kg was low, but prices were strong and averaged about €2.50/kg, with the top-quality types making over €2.60/kg.
There was a strong supply of weanling bulls from 300kg to 400kg, which were met with very strong demand.
Bulls in that weight category sold for €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg for average-quality lots, with better-quality bulls selling mainly from €2.60/kg to €2.70/kg.
Bernie said that the top price on a per kilo basis on the day was €2.84/kg, which was paid for a top-quality 335kg Belgian Blue which sold for €950. Farmers were the main buyers for bulls in that weight region.
Heavier bulls over 400kg were a strong trade also and sold from €2.30/kg to €2.45/kg for average-quality lots, with top-quality bulls making from €2.60/kg to €2.75/kg.
There were a few heavy types over 500kg, and like those forward bulls from 400kg upwards, feeders and agents were active.
The heifer trade was strong also. Average-quality types from 200kg to 300kg sold mainly from €2.50/kg to €2.70/kg. The top-priced heifer was a 275kg Belgian Blue, which sold for €2.91/kg.
Heifers from 300kg to 400kg were met with strong demand and prices ranged mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.50/kg for average-quality lots. Heifers from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.45/kg for average-quality types. Farmer buyer and agents were active for all good-quality heifers.
Commission rates are €12.50 to the seller and €10 to the buyer.
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