Carnew Mart held its weekly general cattle sale on Saturday (July 4), where it saw a large increase in activity with 800 cattle and a very strong clearance rate.

Speaking to Agriland after the sale, Carnew Mart's Eugene Clune described the trade as being "very strong" and that farmers ringside were "looking forward to coming back again", indicating the positivity around the trade at the moment.

Bullocks saw a good trade with the heavier bullocks weighing above 650kg seeing a "very good trade".

The top price on the day went to a Limousin bullock weighing 798kg who fetched €3,350 or €4.20/kg.

Clune added that cattle were seeing increases of €70-€100/head in the last week and up between €300-€400/head since the beginning of June.

Heavy continental bullocks saw price ranges between €4.00-€4.60/kg and between €2,700-€3,350/head, while heavy Hereford and Angus bullocks ranged from €3.60-€3.90/kg and from €2,200-€2,800/head.

Commenting on the sale of lighter bullocks, Clune added that quality store bullocks were in strong demand.

Continental stores made between €4.50-€5.10/kg while Hereford and Angus stores made €3.60-€4.20/kg and €1,280-€1,700/head.

Heifers and cull cows

Heifers also saw a good trade, with heifers making up to €3,200 for heavier continentals and between €3.70-€4.20/kg.

Store heifers also saw a lively trade with continental store heifers making between €4.05-€4.65/kg.

Cull cows continue to see a lively trade with an 830kg Charolais cow making €3,380 or €4.07/kg. Friesian beef cows made between €1,700-€2,940.

The top price went to an 800kg Friesian cow who fetched €3.68/kg or €2,940 in total.

Weanlings and calves

Weanlings continue to experience a good trade, with bulls weighing above 450kg making from €1,980-€2,700/head. Lighter bulls went from €1,400-€2,100/head.

Calves continue to see massive prices. Approximately 200 calves went through the ring in Carnew, with prices ranging between €600-€800 on average.

Clune added that February-born runners were making up to €1,080/head. Angus and Hereford calves saw prices from €350-€550. Friesian bull calves were making from €170-€400 per head.

Carnew Mart also saw a handful of in-calf cows in the ring with Limousin cows due to calve in late July and early August making from €2,700-€3,300.

Clune is optimistic that demand will continue and pointed to factory agents becoming considerably more active over the last week as a positive sign for demand continuing.

Carnew Mart will hold another cattle sale on Saturday, July 11, as well as weekly sheep sales on every Thursday.