Tullow Livestock Sales, Co. Carlow held its weekly cattle sale on Friday (October 30) and its weanling sale on Saturday (October 31).

The sales ring "remains steady" despite a week of "general upset" within the cattle trade, mart manager Eric Driver said.

Driver added that store heifers up to 460kg ranged from €1,200-€2,020/head or €3.43-€4.25/kg.

Beef heifers ranging from 475-740kg sold for between €1,900-€2,130/head or €3.24-€4.26/kg.

The trade for store cattle remains competitive with "no noticeable difference", the mart manager said.

Store bullocks also remained steady, with animals up to 460kg achieving between €1,250-€2,100/head or €3.40-€4.80/kg.

Beef bullocks ranging between 470-770kg sold for €1,910-€2,510/head or €3.25-€4.30/kg.

These prices of heavier, in spec beef cattle represent the "brisk trade" for such animals ringside, according to Driver.

Beef bulls for sale made €2,860-€3,900/head for the stronger animal.

Cull cows remained a good trade, with cows ranging from €1,080-€2,190 for heavier continental cows.

In the calf ring, prices continue to perform, ranging from €340-€460/head, with the pick of the day being a Friesian calf sold for €460.

Saturday weanling sale

Saturday (October 31) saw Tullow Mart host its spring-born weanling show and sale, with over 360 head of cattle on show.

Commenting on the Saturday sale, Driver reported a strong trade of lighter stock, with a slight easing of price in the heavier type weanlings.

Top weanlings on sale averaged from €5.50-€5.60/kg, while the average sale price ranged from €4.20-€4.80/kg.

Sample of sale prices at Tullow Mart:

A 580kg Charolais bullock sold for €2,490, or €4.29/kg;
A 480kg Limousin heifer sold for €2,050, or €4.27/kg;
A 610kg Belgian Blue heifer sold for €2,600, or €4.26/kg;
A 755kg Angus cow sold for €2,190, or €2.90/kg;
A 635kg Aubrac cow sold for €2,130, or €3.35/kg;
A 620kg Limousin cow sold for €2,020, or €3.26/kg.

Despite the blow to the Irish weanling trade with the closure of the Algerian market, Driver spoke of the "resilience" of Irish farmers by "keeping the trade alive" throughout such uncertain times.

The mart manager outlined his ambition to hold a weekly weanling sale separate to the cattle sale, with health benefits of the weanlings his main concern.

Tullow Mart will host another weanling sale this Saturday (November 7).