Last Saturday’s special bullock sale at Headford Mart saw a good seasonal entry of about 200 cattle and around 370 sheep on offer. There was good demand for better-quality bullocks and heifers, but plainer-quality types and aged cattle were a slower sell compared to better-quality continentals.

This Simmental-cross bullock, born April 2018 and weighing 445kg sold for €865 (€1.94/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock born April 2018 and weighing 480kg sold for €900 (€1.88/kg).

This Charolais cross bullock born May 2017 and weighing 745kg sold for €1,470 (€1.97/kg).

This Charolais cross bullock born April 2018 and weighing 555kg sold for €1,190 (€2.14/kg).

This pair of Limousin-cross heifers born February 2018 and weighing 362kg on average sold for €730 each (€2.02/kg).

Bullocks over 600kg sold mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg, with better-quality heavy bullocks selling to over €2.06/kg. Bullocks from 500kg to 600kg sold from €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg for average-quality types, with top-quality types making up to €2.35/kg. There were a share of plainer-quality types on offer also, which sold from €1.44/kg to €1.60/kg. Store bullocks from 400kg to 500kg sold for up to €2.35/kg, with prices averaging €2.00/kg. Heavy heifers were a steady trade also with prices of those over 500kg ranging mainly from €1.85/kg to €2.00/kg with top-quality types making up to €2.15/kg. There were some plainer quality types on offer also which made from €1.50/kg to €1.70/kg. Store heifers from 400kg to 500kg sold for around twice the weight for average-quality types, with top-quality types making up to €2.40/kg. Plainer heifers made from €1.65/kg upwards. Light weanlings sold for about twice with weight with top-quality heifers making up to €2.53/kg. Cull cows sold from €900 to €1,450. Commission rates are €10 to the buyer and 2% to the seller.