Strong farmer buyer activity drove the trade in Aurivo Mart, Ballinrobe on Monday, with some big prices on offer for well-conformed continental stock. There were excellent prices for lighter weanling heifers where farmers seemed to be working to a certain maximum price rather than a price per kilo.

Weanling heifers

Heifers 200kg to 300kg averaged €2.61/kg with the top third of heifers making €2.99/kg on average. In the 300kg to 400kg weight band the average price paid was €2.35/kg. However, better-quality or more stylish types were moving from between €2.60/kg to €2.70/kg in the main.

Weanling bulls

Weanling bulls 200kg to 300kg averaged €2.56/kg, while the top-third of animals in this weight range averaged €2.91/kg. Those weighing 300kg to 400kg averaged €2.41/kg with a typical range of €2.35/kg - €2.55/kg for the most part.

A small entry of males over 400kg saw an average price of €2.09/kg. This is a sharp decline from the 300kg to 400kg weight range but this has been common in sales across the country as farmers move away from bull beef systems they are less customers for these heavier bull weanlings. Quality still pays however, with some of these heavier types fetching in excess of €2.40/kg.

This Charolais bull calf, born 6 March, weighed 405kg and sold for €980 (€2.42/kg).

This Limousin cross bull calf, born 11 April, weighed 355kg and sold for €620 (€1.75/kg).

This Charolais bull calf, born 8 March weighed 355kg and sold for €940 (€2.65/kg).

This Charolais bull calf, born 15 March, weighed 315kg and sold for €800 (€2.54/kg).

This Limousin bull weanling, born 1 April, weighed 260kg and sold for €730 (€2.81/kg).

This Charolais bull calf, born 21 March, weighed 305kg and sold for €830 (€2.72/kg).