Grass buyer demand sees store cattle prices jump €50-100/head in Ballina Mart

Store and grass cattle improved by €50-100/head in Ballina Mart’s weekly sale on Tuesday, according to the Mart Manager Billy Loftus.

Loftus said there was good demand for all of the lots on offer on Tuesday, but a strong farmer presence around the ring seen grass and store cattle improve compared to the sale held the week earlier.

Forward steers improved, selling from €2.20-2.72/kg and similar type heifers also posted a price increase, with these lots trading from €2.18-3.03/kg.

Sample prices:

Charolais: 690kg – €1,545 or €2.24/kg
Charolais: 616kg – €1,545 or €2.51/kg
Angus: 668kg – €1,470 or €2.20/kg
Charolais: 520kg – €1,415 or €2.72/kg
Limousin: 504kg – €1,335 or €2.65/kg

However, despite the improvement in the store cattle trade, the weanling heifer trade remained on par with last week with lots selling from €2.73-3.25/kg.

Bull weanling prices were also on an even keel with the week before and the hammer fell on these lots from €2.80-3.65/kg.

Cow trade

The Mart Manager said heavy and store cows continue to remain in demand and sold from €1.60/kg to a top price of €2.10/kg.

Sample cow prices:

Charolais: 722kg – €1,475 or €2.04/kg
Charolais: 700kg – €1400 or €2/kg
Limousin: 664kg – €1260 or €1.90/kg
Friesian: 754kg – €1,150 or €1.53/kg

There was a selection of dairy cows on offer. The top price was achieved for a 2012 cow with a good EBI, making €1,200, while the top continental spring sold for €1,690.