Competition among buyers for quality stock drove the cattle trade in marts across the country this week.

A total of 1,600 animals were on offer in Kilmallock Mart, Co. Limerick, on Monday, February 27.

Prices were reported to be very strong, as 228 buyers did business on the day.

Bullocks sold for up to €1,490/head or €2.60/kg, while weanlings reached €1,135 each or €2.78/kg.

Prices of €1.89/kg or up to €1,210/head were received for dry cows at the sale, while heifers made up to €1,310 each or €2.58/kg.

Suckler cows with calves at foot made up to €1,640/unit at the sale. A 6-year-old Limousin cow and her Blonde d’Aquitaine heifer calf made the top price on the day.

A strong trade for calves was also reported from Kilmallock Mart, with prices of up to €415/head received.

A five-week-old Hereford bull calf sold for €415. A four-week-old Belgian Blue heifer calf sold for €380, while three Friesian bull calves over three-weeks-old sold for €230/head.

Roscommon Mart

There was a large entry of quality weanlings for sale in Roscommon Mart on Tuesday, February 28, with a good number of farmers, exporters and agents in attendance.

There was a strong trade for bulls; prices averaged from €2.50/kg up to €3.50/kg, with lots selling for between €345-760 along with their weight.

Meanwhile, weanling heifers averaged from €2.49/kg up to €3.05/kg, selling for between €345-620 on top of their weight.

Sample Prices:
  • 380kg BBX heifer – €1,000 or €2.63/kg
  • 365kg CH heifer – €955 or €2.61/kg
  • 285kg LM heifer – €840 or €2.95/kg
  • 465kg CH bull – €1,200 or €2.58/kg
  • 300kg AAX bull – €900 or €3/kg
  • 325kg CHX bull – €1,030 or €3.17/kg

Ennis Mart

A large dairy clearance sale attracted a good crowd at Ennis Mart on Tuesday, February 28.

Calved dairy cows and heifers made €860-1,560/head, while in-calf dairy cows and heifers made €800-1,460/head.

Quality bull weanlings weighing 350-400kg were met with strong demand at the sale. But the heifer trade was slightly back on the previous week, with no export activity ringside.

  • 290kg CHX bull – €955 or €3.29/kg
  • 377kg LMX bull – €1,080 or €2.86/kg
  • 505kg FRX bull – €810 or €1.60/kg
  • 320kg CHX heifer – €1,040 or €3.25/kg
  • 285kg LMX heifer – €850 or €2.98/kg
  • 305kg HEX heifer – €690 or €2.26/kg

A total of 230 suck calves were on offer at Ennis Mart, with a five-week-old Belgian Blue cross calf selling for €750.

Light Friesian bull calves sold for €30-75/head, with stronger older Friesian bulls selling for €80-180/head.

Prices of €140-390/head were received for Hereford and Angus cross calves sold for €140 up to €390. Prices for continental cross calves achieved €185-750/head.

There was also a strong trade for suckler cows, with cows with calves at foot selling for €1,010-2,060/unit.

Meanwhile, in-calf cows and heifers sold for €900-1,880/head at the sale.