Plainer-type cattle were harder sold on the night, but, in general, most farmers were happy with the prices they received.

Dry cows

There was a large increase in the number of cull and dry cows for sale, but the trade still remained strong.

Farmers are starting to offload these empty cows after scanning because of the poor weather, leading to very little grass in places over the past few weeks.

This 2008-born Limousin cow with her April 2017 bull calf at foot sold for €1,890.

Cows generally made between €1.45/kg and 1.70/kg, with poorer and older cows making between €1.00/kg and €1.30/kg.

Some top-quality young stock made up to and above €2/kg, with some cows making well over the €1,600 mark.

Weanling bulls and bullocks

There was also a huge increase in the number of weanling bulls on offer. Trade was quite sticky, with plainer-type cattle hard sold.

This January 2017-born Charolais bull calf weighed 400kg and sold for €910 (€2.27/kg).

In general, bulls ranging from 280kg to 400kg saw less competition from farmers than in previous weeks.

Prices ranged mainly from €700 to €1,100/head for quality types, or €2.15/kg to €2.70/kg, with plain types struggling to reach the €800 mark.

There was a slightly smaller entry of bullocks for sale, but trade was brisk. Prices ranged mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg, with lesser-type dairy-cross steers ranging mainly from €1.50/kg to €2/kg.

Prices generally ranged from €750 to €900 over the weight.

Heifers

The heifer trade was steady, with a large number of late-2015 and 2016 heifers on show. Some top-quality heifers made over €2.50/kg, with some making well over €700 with the weight.

This August 2016-born Charolais heifer weighed 355kg and sold for €895 (€2.52/kg).

Average-quality types made from €1.95/kg to €2.40/kg.

Star rating did not have a huge factor on heifer prices, with quality being the biggest determining factor for buyers.

Lighter good-quality heifers weanlings weighing between 200kg and 300kg were in high demand, with some quality lots making over €1,000.

Cows and calves

There was a packed-out crowd in the cow and calf ring, with huge demand and quality on offer. Prices varied on the night, with both cow and calf quality and animal age playing the biggest factor. Plainer lots made from €1,000 to €1,350, with some exceptional bunches making close to the €2,000 mark. Springing cows and heifers were also in high demand, with some in-calf cows reaching up to €1,800.

Read more

CIn pictures: cull cows sell to €2,240 at Balla Mart

Weather starts to flush out cull cows