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Nathan Tuffy on 09 Jul 2016

More stability in the trade at Balla mart

At this weekend's sale at Balla mart, plainer-type cattle continue to be met with weak demand

Nathan Tuffy

9 July 2016

More stability in the trade at Balla mart

This Charolais cross bullock, born March 2015 and weighing 580kg was bid to €1,300 (€2.24/kg) but not sold.

This Angus cross bullock, born March 2015 and weighing 405kg sold for €700 (€1.73/kg).

This Simmental cross bullock, born March 2014 and weighing 665kg sold for €1370 (€2.09/kg).

This Simmental cross bullock, born March 2014 and weighing 610kg sold for €1200 (€1.97/kg).

This Limousin cross bullock, born June 2015 and weighing 395kg sold for €1005 (€2.55/kg).

This Limousin bull, born October 2015 and weighing 405kg was bid to €980 (€2.42/kg) but unsold.

This Friesian cow born in 2005 and weighing 525kg sold for €600 (€1.70/kg).

This Hereford cross cow, born 2006 and weighing 605kg sold for €1030 (€1.70/kg).

This Romagnola cross cow, born 2013 and weighing 675kg sold for €1380 (€2.04/kg).

This heavy Romagnola cow, born 2006 and weighing 855kg sold for €1570 (€1.84/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer, born April 2015 and weighing 310kg sold for €650 (€2.10/kg).

This Limousin cross heifer, born April 2015 and weighing 415kg sold for €970 (€2.34/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer, born July 2015 and weighing 385kg sold for €930 (€2.42/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer, born June 2015 and weighing 425kg sold for €915 (€2.15/kg).

This red Angus cross heifer, born May 2016 and weighing 305kg sold for €575 (€1.89/kg).

This Angus heifer, born May 2015 and weighing 345kg sold for €630 (€1.83/kg).

This Charolais heifer, born March 2014 and weighing 520kg sold for €1130 (€2.17/kg).

In recent days, the mart trade around the country is said to have settled. However, plainer cattle continue to be met with weak demand and a variable trade. Demand for good-quality forward stores is strong and steady, but average prices are running about 10-15c/kg behind where they were a few weeks ago in some areas.Today’s sale at Balla Mart saw a good trade once again for good-quality cattle and in particular for forward store bullocks. However, plainer cattle continue to be a weaker trade, with reduced buyer activity. The sale today saw just two rings in action due to the seasonal low numbers. The ringsides were busy, with large numbers of farmers packing in to gauge the trade.

Today’s sale at Balla Mart saw a good trade once again for good-quality cattle and in particular for forward store bullocks. However, plainer cattle continue to be a weaker trade, with reduced buyer activity. The sale today saw just two rings in action due to the seasonal low numbers. The ringsides were busy, with large numbers of farmers packing in to gauge the trade.

In the bullock ring, good-quality types over 500kg sold frequently from €600 to €700 over the weight for good quality types. With top-quality types making as much as €800 along with the weight. Average bullocks made from €1.95/kg to about €2.10/kg. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg were met with solid demand for all good quality lots also and prices ranged mainly from €550 to €650 over the weight. Plainer types made from €300 to €450 over the weight.

Good quality

Demand for heifers was strong, but mainly for good-quality types. Forward heifers over 500kg sold mainly from €650 to €750 along with the weight. Heifers from 400kg to 500kg were said to have achieved similar price to last week. Average quality types sold mainly from €500 to €600 over the weight, while plainer Angus and Hereford heifers made from €350 to €450 over the weight.

It took very good quality to beat €1,000/head today, and those that did it were mostly forward bulls of about 400kg. The average 300kg to 400kg sold mainly for about €750 to €900/head. Heifers were similar, but the quality of bulls on offer was slightly higher.

Headford Mart today saw a steady trade after recent price pressure. Plainer cattle continue to be a slightly weaker trade, but in the main prices for good-quality weanlings were firm. Bullocks made from €335 to €880 over the weight. Heifers made from €325 to €870 over, while weanling bulls made up to €450 over the weight. Weanling heifers made from €215 to €523 over; while Suckler cows made from €1,050 to €1,770. Cull Cows made from €700 to €1,200. Lambs made from €80 to €106.