A batch of 32 springing heifers met a lively trade from bidders at Draperstown mart on Friday, averaging £1,100 each. The heifers were mostly Limousin registered and were due to calve from next week on to the Limousin bull.

Overall, most heifers were around two and half years old, around 600kg in weight, had conformation of an R grade, were well-conditioned and appeared to be docile.

Prices remained very steady for each lot, with slightly more being paid for heifers that had a bit more conformation. Top price was £1,380 for an October 2013 born Limousin.

A group of six maiden heifers at the end of the sale averaged £870. The heifers were also Limousin registered, with the exception of one Simmental, and were mostly 18 months old.

A group of 18 older suckler cows made good prices averaging £845 overall. The cows were all five to six months in calf and ranged in ages, with the majority being four to five year old. The cows were mainly registered as Simmentals or Limousins and were well conditioned with conformation of an R grade.

Store cattle

A show of 33 store cattle at the start of the sale met a sound trade.

A few Charolais bull calves, around 300kg, made £350 over their weight (£2.17/kg). Two Belgian Blue bulls, born in August 2015, made good prices with the first weighing 370kg and making £835 (£2.26/kg) and the second weighing 350kg and making £750 (£2.14/kg).

A few Charolais steers were sold at various weights. One was 340kg and made £345 over his weight(£2.01/kg), and another was 440kg and made £405 over his weight (£1.92/kg).

A group of Limousin heifers around 450kg made £350 along with their weight (£1.78/kg). Charolais heifers around 350kg made £320 over their weight (£1.91/kg).

Cull cows were sold at the start of the sale with top prices going for well-conditioned beef bred cows. Top price was £1.46/kg for a 580kg Blondes D'aquitaine cow, however prices of £1.10-£1.20/kg were paid for the run of the cows.

Dairy cows with most condition made the better prices also. A 690kg Holstein cow made £1.04/kg, but a thin Holstein weighing 520kg made £0.52/kg.