The big entry of stock for Thursday’s sale in Castlerea was met with strong buyer demand across the board.

Speaking to mart manager Brendan Egan after the sale, he said that he was delighted with the trade, which is definitely being helped by strong northern buyer demand for cattle, currently aided by the strengthening of the pound in recent weeks.

Bullocks were well up on the previous week, especially for heavier types, while the heifer trade held its strong performance seen over the past number of weeks.

Dry cows

Dry cows averaged €1.77/kg, with a big range of cow types entered.

Friesian types traded from €1.25/kg to €1.35/kg, while suckler cows averaged around the €1.80/kg mark.

Well-fleshed more shapely cows breached the €2.00/kg mark on several occasions and topped out at €3.22/kg for a young roan coloured cow with obvious breeding potential.

In pictures

This January 2017-born Limousin, weighed 645kg and sold for €2,080 (€3.22/kg).

This 2016-born Charolais cow, weighed 820kg and sold for €1,530 (€1.87/kg).

This Hereford cow, born February 2018, weighed 700kg and sold for €1,210 (€1.73/kg).

Heifers

This Limousin heifer, born March 2020, weighed 520kg and sold for €1,250 (€2.40/kg).

This August 2019-born Angus heifer weighed 500kg and sold for €1,110 (€2.22/kg).

This Hereford heifer, born March 2019, weighed 545kg and sold for €1,080 (€1.98/kg).

Bullocks

This April 2019-born Charolais bullock weighed 505kg and sold for €1,110 (€2.20).

This Shorthorn bullock, born May 2019, weighed 460kg and sold for €1,050 (€2.28/kg).

This Angus bullock, born April 2020, weighed 405kg and sold for €920 (€2.27/kg).

This March 2019-born Charolais bullock weighed 600kg and sold for €1,440 (€2.40/kg).

This Charolais bullock, born March 2019, weighed 635kg and sold for €1,470 (€2.31/kg).

This May 2019-born Limousin bullock weighed 520kg and sold for €1,340 (2.58/kg).

This Limousin bullock, born June 2019, weighed 545kg and sold for €1,340 (€2.46/kg).

This May 2019-born Charolais bullock weighed 510kg and sold for €1,200 (€2.35/kg).

This October 2019-born Limousin bullock weighed 550kg and sold for €1,290 (€2.35/kg).