Saturday’s sale saw another flying trade for almost all types of cattle at Balla Mart. The best on the day were good-quality light weanling heifers, which were a very brisk trade.

The greatest demand was for heifers from 280kg to 320kg, and where good-quality types were on offer, prices ranged mainly from €800 to €950, with some light types passing the €1,000 mark.

Heavy heifers over 600kg sold mainly from €1,200 to €1,400/head.

This 510kg Charolais cross heifer, born April 2017, sold for €1,250 (€2.45/kg).

Heifers from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €1,000 to €1,250. There were some plainer types that sold from €900 to €1,000.

Store heifers

Lighter store heifers were not much dearer than weanling heifers, and prices ranged mainly from €1,000 to €1,100, with those showing more quality selling up to €1,200/head.

The bullock trade was a little stronger than last week, with plenty of demand for all types. Bullocks over 650kg sold from €1,500 to €1,725/head for top-quality types while plainer types sold from €1,300 upwards.

Those from 580kg to 650kg sold mainly from €1,200 to €1,500/head. Forward store bullocks sold mainly from €1,150 to €1,400 for continentals.

Store bullocks

Lighter store bullocks from 450kg to 500kg were a strong trade and sold mainly from €1,000 to €1,200 for average quality continentals while fancier types made up to €1,300/head. There were a good few heavy weanling bulls on offer. Prices of bulls from 450kg to 600kg ranged mainly from €1,000 to €1,300/head but some heavy types over 600kg sold to excess of €1,400/head.

This 380kg Limousin cross bull, born May 2018, sold for €950 (€2.50/kg).

Weanling bulls from 350kg to 400kg were a stronger trade than heavy bulls and good continentals sold from €800 to €950 with top quality types making over €1,100/head.

Bulls from 300kg to 350kg old mainly from €800 to €900/head with some plainer types making from €700 upwards.