Clare Co-Operative Mart held its weekly cattle trade in Ennis on Thursday (June 2), where 440 cattle went through the ring with numbers well up on last week.

According to the sale report from the mart venue, there was a "good size scale" with a "serious yard of forward cattle on offer".

The quality was seen through the prices. Forward bullocks were up €120/head on last week, with these cattle described as "excellent" and "super quality".

Two Limousin-cross bullocks weighing on average 720kg each made €3,080 or €4.27/kg.

Another two Limousin-cross bullocks weighing on average 765kg each made €3,210/head or €4.19/kg.

A lighter Limousin-cross bullock weighing 680kg made €3,290 or €4.83/kg.

Below are some more sample prices for bullocks from the sale:

A pen of six Charolais-cross bullocks weighing on average 550kg each made €2,470/head or €4.41/kg;
A Hereford-cross bullock weighing 650kg made €2,590 or €3.98;
A pen of four Charolais-cross bullocks weighing on average 498kg each made €2,530/head or €5.07/kg;
Two Angus-cross bullocks weighing on average 450kg each made €2,340/head or €5.20/kg;
An Angus-cross bullock weighing 580kg made €2,550 or €4.39/kg.

A small number of bulls, with some for breeding purposes were also sold on the day with these averaging around the €4.19/kg mark

Heifers also saw a strong trade with quality being rewarded.

A Limousin-cross heifer weighing 390kg made €2,350 or €6.02/kg.

This trend of lighter yearling cattle making good returns has been seen in marts across the country.

A selection of heifer prices paid on the day can be seen below:

A Limousin-cross heifer weighing 640kg made €2,600 or €4.06/kg;
A Hereford-cross heifer weighing 545kg made €2,240 or €4.11/kg;
A Short horn heifer weighing 645kg made €2,350 or €3.64/kg;
A pen of four Charolais cross heifers weighing on average 432kg each made €1,990/head or €4.60/kg.

The sale saw predominately continental cull cows with these also described as excellent.

They met a brisk trade with demand from farmers ringside and online evident in the prices achieved.

A 590kg Limousin-cross cull cow made €2,530 or €4.28/kg.

Friesian cull cows saw a significantly lower price, with a 635kg Friesian cow going for €1,870 or €2.94/kg, while another Friesian cull cow weighing 595kg made €1,830 or €3.08/kg.

More sample cull cow prices from Ennis can be seen below:

A 900kg Charolais cull cow made €3,540 or €3.93/kg;
A 900kg Angus cull cow made €3,180 or €3.53/kg;
A 660kg Limousin cull cow made €2,720 or €4.12/kg;
A 635kg Limousin cull cow made €2,580 or €4.06/kg;
A 780kg Hereford cull cow made €2,820 or €3.61/kg.