Cattle marts across the country have all reported good clearances in recent days. Again, large numbers were recorded at various venues nationwide.

The weanling trade was driven by strong export and farmer demand.

Beef prices didn’t discourage buyers. Factory agents and feedlot buyers were said to be very active for heavier types and strong demand also came from farmers sourcing stores.

Balla Mart

A large sale took place at Balla Mart in Co. Mayo on Saturday. Some 900 cattle were on offer; a number that was similar to the previous week’s sale. All cattle sold well, but lighter lots were reported to make “great money” on Saturday, September 9.

Store bullocks weighing 400kg made up to €700 with their weight, while heavier bullocks (400-500kg) averaged €2.40/kg.

Sample bullock prices:
  • Limousin: 265kg – €740 or €2.79/kg;
  • Limousin: 775kg – €1,735 or €2.65/kg;
  • Charolais: 370kg – €1,050 or €2.84/kg;
  • Charolais: 495kg – €1,310 or €2.65/kg.

A strong trade was reported for heifers, with some 250 going under the hammer. On the day, those weighing up to 400kg averaged €2.23/kg. Heavier animals weighing 500+kg, were “up slightly on last week”. These lots averaged €2.17/kg.

Sample heifer prices:
  • Limousin: 295kg – €630 or €2.14/kg;
  • Charolais: 395kg – €1,060 or €2.68/kg;
  • Charolais: 685kg – €1,660 or €2.42/kg;
  • Blonde D’Aquitaine: 545kg – €1,380 or €2.53/kg.

According to a mart’s spokesperson, a large number of cows were on offer; the highlight being an in-calf born in April 2014 – a Simmental cow and a Limousin bull calf made €1,990. Dry cows averaged €1.62/kg on the day.

Tullow Mart

There was plenty of quality reported at Tullow mart in Co. Carlow, on Friday, September 8. Numbers remained “steady”, while there was a slight improvement for quality forward stores, according to the mart manager, Eric Driver.

“The beef and forward type bullocks met a lively trade reflecting on the factory prices currently, with some bullocks making over €1,000,” he added.

The majority of beef and forward-type bullocks sold at €700-1,020.

A “very lively” trade was reported for store bullocks, with plenty of interest from farmers and feedlot owners. Angus and Hereford cattle sold at €1.85-2.30/kg, while continental bullocks made a maximum price of €800 over.

Beef and forward-type heifers were also in demand. Angus and Hereford heifers sold for €2.35/kg and €2/kg respectively. Continental heifers sold at €750-980 with their weight.

Weanling bulls sold in the region of €2.20-2.70/kg, with a strong demand for E and U grades.

Store cows also met a good trade; Friesian cows sold for €50 along with their weight, while continental breeds made a top price of €820 with their weight.

Castlerea Mart

Some 700 cattle went under the hammer at Castlerea Mart in Co. Roscommon. The mart’s spokesperson attributed “the recent spell of poor weather as the reason for the increased numbers”.

Good clearances were reported for all cattle, while the weanling trade was driven by exporters and farmers –  both made their presence felt at ringside.

Sample bull weanling prices:
  • Limousin: 275kg – €890 or €3.23/kg;
  • Limousin: 635kg – €1,400 or €2.20/kg;
  • Charolais: 235kg – €820 or €3.48/kg;
  • Charolais: 255kg – €785 or €3.07/kg.

Cows also met a good trade; dry cows sold for €1,615-1,880, while springers made a top price of €1,800. There was increased lots of runners this week; prices of €200-715 were achieved for continental cattle.

Carnew Mart

Some 870 cattle and 40 calves were on offer at Carnew Mart in Co. Wicklow, on Saturday, September 9 – a significant rise on last week’s numbers.

Similarly to last week, there was strong demand for beef and forward stores – with factory feedlot buyers remaining active.

Sample bullock prices:
  • Belgian Blue: 524kg – €1,470 or €2.80/kg;
  • Limousin: 732kg – €1,700 or €2.32/kg;
  • Charolais: 415kg – €1,130 or €2.72/kg
  • Hereford: 830kg- €1,610 or €1.93/kg.

David Quinn, the mart’s manager, stated that “quality again was the main driver of price, while plainer, lighter cattle remained around the €1.78/kg mark”.

Sample heifer prices:
  • Limousin: 636kg – €1,480 or €2.32/kg;
  • Belgian Blue: 515kg – €1,310 or €2.54/kg;
  • Charolais: 585kg – €1,345 or €2.29/kg;
  • Hereford: 420kg – €805 or €1.78/kg. 

Kilrush Mart

There was an ‘excellent turnout’ at the Kilrush Mart, on Wednesday, September 6. Continental heifers sold between €2.05/kg and €2.52/kg, while Hereford and Angus heifers traded at €1.60-1.85/kg.

Dry cows were an extremely strong trade, selling at €1.30-1.95/kg.

Sample dry cow prices:
  • Frieisan: 850kg – €1,105 or €1.30/kg;
  • Charolais: 725kg – €1,290 or €1.78/kg;
  • Limousin: 775kg – €1,395 or €1.80/kg.

Bullock prices ranged from €2.01/kg up to a maximum price of €2.50/kg, .

Sample bullock prices:
  • Limousin: 497kg – €1,205 or €2.42/kg;
  • Hereford: 780kgs – €1,420 or €1.82/kg;
  • Charolais: 578kgs – €1,295 – €2.24/kg

Aged bulls also made around the €1.64/kg mark.

Ennis Mart

There was a ‘huge’ turnout at Ennis Mart, on Tuesday, September 7. Over 1,000 cattle passed through the ring, according the mart’s Danny Moran.

“There was a large attendance present, with buyers coming from all over the country to source stock.

“Bullocks made from €1.83/kg up to €2.98/kg, while forward and factory-fit heifers were most in demand – with these lots selling from €1.92/kg up to €2.59/kg,” Moran said.

Sample bullock prices:
  • Limousin: 360kg – €870 or €2.42/kg;
  • Charolais: 674kg – €1,565 or €2.32/kg;
  • Hereford: 743kg – €1,385 -or €2.46/kg:
  • Friesian: 622kg – €1,125 or €1.80/kg.

170 cull cows passed through the ring with only a handful going unsold. Quality continentals sold at €1.60-2.14/kg, while plainer types made €1.20-1.50/kg.

Sample dry cow prices:
  • Limousin: 630kg – €1,350 or €2.14/kg;
  • Hereford: 750kg – €1,390 or €1.85/kg;
  • Angus: 560kg – €1,015 or €1.81/kg;
  • Belgian Blue: 815kg – €1,680 or €2.06/kg.

Aged bulls made €1.45-1.85/kg.

Macroom Mart

Some 600 cattle went under the hammer, on Saturday, September 9. A good, steady trade was reported by mart manager, John O’Mahony.

He said: “There is still plenty of grass available in the area, but I would expect the number of cattle entering the mart to increase in the next few weeks.”

Exporters were reported to be active around the the ring. Dry cows sold for €105-615 with their weight.

Hereford and Angus bullocks traded at €255-600 over, while the continental steers made €300-755 over. Heifer sold at €250-670 over.