Ennis Mart in Co. Clare hosted its weekly weanling sale on Tuesday, November 10, with 730 head of cattle on offer.

Mart manager, Martin McNamara, said a similar number of cattle was expected for the coming week's sale.

Although he confirmed that there had been a 98% clearance at the sale, he acknowledged that the trade "is back a bit overall in the weanlings".

"Weanlings had been slipping a bit in price over the last few weeks, there's no doubt about that," he stressed.

Notable weanling bull prices from the most recent sale at Ennis Mart:

Four Charolais bulls weighing 278kg on average sold for €1,780 (€6.41/kg);
A Belgian Blue bull weighing 400kg sold for €2,150 (€5.37/kg);
Two Charolais bulls weighing 280kg on average sold for €1,720 (€6.14/kg);
Two Aberdeen Angus bulls weighing on average 295kg sold for €1,640 (€5.55/kg);
A Limousin bull weighing 275kg sold for €1,640 (€5.96/kg);
A Limousin bull weighing 375kg sold for €1,950 (€5.20/kg);
A Charolais bull weighing 390kg sold for €2,100 (€5.38/kg);
Two Limousin bulls weighing on average 282kg sold for €1,660 (€5.87/kg);
A Charolais bull weighing 480kg sold for €2,680 (€5.58/kg);
Three Limousin bulls weighing on average 197kg sold for €1,060 (€5.39/kg).

According to McNamara, export buyer activity remained subdued: "The exporters are a loss, there's no doubt about that. It's going to take a bit of time to get sorted, but hopefully it will get sorted."

Commenting on the weanlings on offer at the most recent sale, he described quality as "a bit more variable, with plainer lots being harder [to sell]".

"Bull weanlings were back at about 10c/kg on average, and weanling heifers were back at 10-15c/kg on the week," he explained.

Notable heifer prices from the weanling sale at Ennis Mart:

Two Charolais heifers weighing on average 270kg sold for €1,380 (€5.11/kg).
A Limousin heifer weighing 390kg sold for €2,080 (€5.33/kg).
A Belgian Blue heifer weighing 285kg sold for €1,400 (€4.91/kg).
A Limousin heifer weighing 330kg sold for €1,680 (€5.09/kg).
A Limousin heifer weighing 350kg sold for €1,890 (€5.40/kg).
A Blonde d'Aquitaine heifer weighing 285kg sold for €1,400 (€4.91/kg).
An Aberdeen Angus heifer weighing 290kg sold for €1,000 (€3.45/kg).
A Hereford heifer weighing 455kg sold for €1,490 (€3.28/kg).

McNamara said there was also "a good entry of quality sucklers" at the sale.

These sold for up to €4,450 for pairs, while in-calf lots reached €2,620.

He commented that "runner numbers are starting to get smaller as quality lots are still holding a good trade, but plainer lots are back a shade," he said.