Carnew Mart, Co. Wicklow held its first autumn-born weanling sale of the year on Saturday (August 8), where 350 weanling bulls went through the ring with buyers from "Donegal to Kerry".

Carnew Mart's Eugene Clune spoke to Agriland after the sale, describing how some excellent quality weanlings were seen on the day.

The ring saw entries from cattle sellers based in counties all across the south-east.

The special weanling sale was held in conjunction with the mart's weekly cattle sale.

There was 350 weanling bulls on sale, with 750 cattle through the ring in total.

The mart saw some exceptional weanling heifers on sale, with the stand-out transaction the €2,360 paid for a 380kg Belgian Blue heifer at €6.21/kg.

Another 350kg Belgian Blue-cross heifer sold for €1,920 at €5.49/kg, while a Limousin-cross beef heifer weighing 700kg sold for €3,460 at €4.94/kg.

Trade 'on fire'

Clune described the trade as very strong, highlighting how heifers weighing 320kg were averaging €1,560/head, equivalent to €4.88/kg.

The bullock and bull trade was "on fire", as bulls regularly hit over €5.00/kg.

A top sale from the bull ring was that of a 400kg Belgian Blue weanling bull that sold for €2,420 at €6.05/kg.

Clune pointed to the "super quality" of stock as over 50-60% of weanlings sold were headed for export, creating exceptional demand ringside and online.

A pen of six Charolais bullocks weighing on average 445kg sold for €2,146/head at €4.82/kg.

Some other notable prices on the day include:

Eight Friesian/Aubrac-cross bullocks weighing on average 422kg sold for €1,700/head at €4.03/kg;
A 346kg Limousin bullock sold for €1,820 at €5.26/kg;
A 376kg Charolais weanling bull sold for €2,120 at €5.64/kg;
A 412kg Limousin weanling bull sold for €2,350 at €5.70/kg;
Three Limousin weanling bulls weighing on average 404kg sold for €2,200 at €5.45/kg.

Four heavy Belgian Blue bulls weighing on average 614kg sold for €3,156/head at €5.14/kg.

The excellent prices were not confined to the weanling rings as the dry cow trade saw some impressive sales, with 80 dry cows on offer.

Beef cows saw prices up to €3,000/head. Heavy Friesians averaged between €1,800-€2,100/head at up to €2.50/kg for well-fleshed cows, while lighter Friesians saw an "easier trade" topping out at €2.00/kg.

Farmer sentiment

Commenting on the sale, Clune added that "holiday season is over" with a lot more people ringside, driving demand.

Cattle numbers were also significantly up on previous weeks.

Clune revealed the extent to which Co. Wicklow farmers were suffering from the drought with "full winter feeding" in most farms, as the area is "as bad as anywhere in the country".

Commenting on the impact of beef quota cuts last week, Clune felt that farmers were holding back cattle, waiting for rain, as numbers through the ring have been lower than would normally be seen at this time of year.

This combined with strong activity from factory agents is holding prices relatively firm in Clune's view.

He also added that he believes a better back half of the year will be seen, as the earlier rush on heavy cattle had meant that most are already slaughtered or working their way through the system.

This will create significant demand nearer winter for finished cattle, he said.

Carnew Mart holds weekly general cattle sales.

The mart will also hold its Sheep Breeders Sale on Thursday, August 13, where breeding ewe lambs and hoggets will be on sale.