There was another strong entry of stock at Balla mart today, and there were plenty of farmers present. The trade saw more plainer quality cattle on offer, and some farmers were a little slower to sell. While farmer buyers were still active, the change in weather resulted in a slightly weaker trade for plainer cattle. However, good quality cattle in all sections were a strong trade with prices fairly firm on previous weeks.

Store bullocks

Forward store bullocks over 600kg were sold mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg with U grades making over €2.10/kg. Those from 500kg to 600kg were met with strong demand from farmer buys and prices ranged mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg. Plainer types sold from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg. Top quality U grades in the same weight bracket sold from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg.

Light stores from 400kg to 500kg were reasonably steady but plainer types were a slower sell than last week. Plainer cattle in that weight category sold from €1.80/kg to €2.00/kg while average quality R grades made from €2.10/kg to €2.25/kg. Top quality U grades sold from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg.

Heifers

Heifers were fairly steady, but sticky at times. Again all good quality cattle held firm, but prices of plainer quality heifers were variable.

Prices of forward store heifers from 500kg to 600kg ranged mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.15/kg with U grades making over €2.30/kg. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg saw prices range mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg with U grades making from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg. Plainer heifers, from 400kg to 500kg, were slower to sell and made from €1.80/kg upwards.

In-calf heifers

Farmers flocked to the cow ring for a special entry of in-calf heifers. Prices ranged mainly from €1200 to €1500. Farmer demand for in-calf heifers, was not as strong as it was in previous weeks. Despite this buyers were still active for good quality heifers, with some poorer quality heifers going unsold.

Cull cows were fairly steady with the majority of continental store cows making from €1.35/kg to €1.60/kg. Fleshed cows sold from €1.75/kg to €1.90/kg.