Monday 30 March saw 164 head of cattle make their way to Armoy Livestock market.
While there was a 100% clearance, with a third of stock sold online, the cocktail of poor weather, downward pressure on the market and ever-increasing costs has led to a wait and see approach from some customers for store cattle.
“There was a degree of caution around the ringside,” commented mart manager Daniel McAlister.
Other beef finishers, having experienced the rising market last year, are not willing to go back to simply turn over money without a margin. Limited supply of stock seems to be the only thing keeping a baseline in the store trade.
At last Monday’s sale, dairy bred stores across the weights and breeds were consistently trading between 340p/kg and 380p/kg.
Heavier, native-bred animals weighing 400kg to 500kg generally sold for 355p/kg to 365p/kg. Standout lots, with potential to finish off grass this backend, made around the 380p/kg mark.
Continental cattle
Some good-quality continental weanlings weighing 300kg to 400kg sold for over 460p/kg.
Beef bred animals weighing 500kg to 600kg generally made between 350p/kg and 380p/kg, while a small show of heavy continentals weighing 650kg to 680kg consistently sold around the 360p/kg mark.
The top price of the day was for a heavy Limousin stock-bull. This September-2022 animal weighed 940kg and sold for £3,620 (385p/kg). This was followed by a June 2024-born Charolais heifer weighing 680kg at £2,440 (358p/kg).
This October 2024-born Belgian Blue bullock weighed 580kg and sold for £2,140 (369p/kg).
This April 2024-born Charolais heifer weighed 650kg and sold for £2,340 (360p/kg).
This May 2024-born Aberdeen Angus bullock weighed 520kg and sold for £1,880 (361p/kg).
This March 2024-born Belgian Blue bullock weighed 530kg and sold for £1,830, (345p/kg).
This September 2024-born Belgian Blue heifer weighed 500kg and sold for £1,890 (378p/kg).
This July 2024-born Belgian Blue heifer weighed 470kg and sold for £1,700 (361p/kg).
This November 2024-born Aberdeen Angus bullock weighed 500kg and sold for £2,060 (412p/kg).
This October 2024-born Fleckvieh bullock weighed 510kg and sold for £1,960 (384p/kg).
This October 2024-born Fleckvieh bullock weighed 540kg and sold for £1,950 (361p/kg).
This December 2024-born Belgian Blue bullock weighed 570kg and sold for £2,150 (377p/kg).
This May 2025-born Blonde d'Aquitaine heifer weighed 320kg and sold for £1,500 (469p/kg).
Monday 30 March saw 164 head of cattle make their way to Armoy Livestock market.
While there was a 100% clearance, with a third of stock sold online, the cocktail of poor weather, downward pressure on the market and ever-increasing costs has led to a wait and see approach from some customers for store cattle.
“There was a degree of caution around the ringside,” commented mart manager Daniel McAlister.
Other beef finishers, having experienced the rising market last year, are not willing to go back to simply turn over money without a margin. Limited supply of stock seems to be the only thing keeping a baseline in the store trade.
At last Monday’s sale, dairy bred stores across the weights and breeds were consistently trading between 340p/kg and 380p/kg.
Heavier, native-bred animals weighing 400kg to 500kg generally sold for 355p/kg to 365p/kg. Standout lots, with potential to finish off grass this backend, made around the 380p/kg mark.
Continental cattle
Some good-quality continental weanlings weighing 300kg to 400kg sold for over 460p/kg.
Beef bred animals weighing 500kg to 600kg generally made between 350p/kg and 380p/kg, while a small show of heavy continentals weighing 650kg to 680kg consistently sold around the 360p/kg mark.
The top price of the day was for a heavy Limousin stock-bull. This September-2022 animal weighed 940kg and sold for £3,620 (385p/kg). This was followed by a June 2024-born Charolais heifer weighing 680kg at £2,440 (358p/kg).
This October 2024-born Belgian Blue bullock weighed 580kg and sold for £2,140 (369p/kg).
This April 2024-born Charolais heifer weighed 650kg and sold for £2,340 (360p/kg).
This May 2024-born Aberdeen Angus bullock weighed 520kg and sold for £1,880 (361p/kg).
This March 2024-born Belgian Blue bullock weighed 530kg and sold for £1,830, (345p/kg).
This September 2024-born Belgian Blue heifer weighed 500kg and sold for £1,890 (378p/kg).
This July 2024-born Belgian Blue heifer weighed 470kg and sold for £1,700 (361p/kg).
This November 2024-born Aberdeen Angus bullock weighed 500kg and sold for £2,060 (412p/kg).
This October 2024-born Fleckvieh bullock weighed 510kg and sold for £1,960 (384p/kg).
This October 2024-born Fleckvieh bullock weighed 540kg and sold for £1,950 (361p/kg).
This December 2024-born Belgian Blue bullock weighed 570kg and sold for £2,150 (377p/kg).
This May 2025-born Blonde d'Aquitaine heifer weighed 320kg and sold for £1,500 (469p/kg).
SHARING OPTIONS