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Camera at the mart was at last week’s special sale at Mountbellew mart. Mart chair Eamon Moran said that they recently took the decision to move the sale day from Friday to Wednesday evening to accommodate more buyers and sellers. They have been holding cattle and weanling sale on Wednesdays for six weeks now and so far it has been a success.
Eamon said that the number of cattle passing through the mart is continuing to increase, which is very positive. He added that the next sale will take place on Wednesday next in the form of a special weanling show and sale. A strong entry of top-quality weanlings will be on offer on the night.
At last week’s sale, farmer buyers were the most active for all good-quality stores. The special sale saw an improved entry of top-quality forward and store bullocks and heifers, with demand firm.
Forward bullocks were the best trade in terms of prices with the majority of good-quality R and U grade continental bullocks making from €600 to €700 over the weight. The top-priced bullock was a 625kg Charolais, which sold for €1,340, or €2.14/kg. Lighter store bullocks from 500kg to 600kg were met with firm farmer demand and prices ranged mainly from €2.05/kg to €2.20/kg.
Stores from 400kg to 500kg were a firm trade and prices ranged from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg for better-quality types. The quality of bullocks on offer was up slightly, which was a help to sale prices.
The heifer trade continues to be a little slower than the demand for store bullocks. Heifers were a little slower to sell and attracted slightly lower prices than the equivalent steer. Heifers from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg with those from 400kg to 500kg making from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg for better-quality U grades.
Eamon said last Saturday’s sheep sale saw a strong entry. In recent weeks, sheep sales have been running at over 2,000 head, although numbers have started to reduce slightly in recent weeks. He said that the mart is a strong store lamb mart, with the majority of lambs on offer being store lambs. Prices of these ranged mainly from €80 to €90.
Commission rates are €9 to the buyer and €8 (up to €500 sale value and 2% thereafter) to the seller.
Ringside comment: Quality cattle firm, but quality on offer slips
Strong trade at special bullock and heifer sale in Mountbellew
Strong trade for quality weanlings at Ballyjamesduff
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