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Mart managers Glenn Cooper and JJ Peters said that the sales have gotten smaller in the past few weeks and, as a result, the number on offer was not huge, with about 200 lots between cows, bullocks and heifers.
They said that the numbers on offer a month to six weeks ago were much higher.
That said, the 50th sale took place on the same day as a special cull cow sale. And because of this, there were about 66 lots of cull cows on offer, with some very good quality types on offer.
This Friesian cull cow, born 2007 and weighing 625kg, sold for €725 (€1.16/kg).
In terms of prices, the highest price at the sale was €2,090, which was paid for a top-quality 965kg cow (€2.16/kg).
On a price-per-kilo basis, the top cow sold for €2.30/kg or €2,020 for 880kg.
Other good-quality fleshed continental cows were met with plenty of demand and prices ranged mainly from €1.75/kg to €1.90/kg or from €550 to €700 over the weight.
This Charolais-cross cow-heifer, born January 2012 and weighing 880kg, sold for €1,800 (€2.05/kg).
Glenn said that while good-quality continentals were abundant on the day, there were a share of Friesian cull cows on offer also.
Average-quality Frieisans carrying little flesh sold mainly from €1.00/kg to €1.20/kg for better-quality types.
This well-muscled Belgian Blue cow, born 2011 and weighing 750kg, sold for €1,540 (€2.05/kg).
However, the majority of plainer Friesians made just a little over the weight.
The star attraction on the day was a 600kg continental bullock, which was auctioned off to raise money for Laois Hospice.
The bullock was bought for €2,250 by local farmer Brendan Phealan.
There were over 66 lots of bullocks on offer at the sale also and, according to the mart mangers, the trade for these was quite good.
The main supply of bullocks on offer were forward stores from 500kg upwards. Prices of these ranged mainly from €1,200 to €1,530 for a top-quality 670kg steer.
Heifers were a good trade also, with top-quality heavy types making from €1,200 to €1,330, while plainer dairy crosses sold from €1.80/kg to €2.00/kg for light better-quality types.
This Simmental-cross cow, born 2009 and weighing 675kg, sold for €1,050 (€1.56/kg).
Good continental heifers sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.40/kg at the upper end of the trade.
Commission rates are 1.6% to the seller and €10 to the buyer.
Watch: top of €4,200 at Elphin Mart special in-calf sale
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