Skibbereen Mart in Co. Cork held its weekly general cattle sale on Friday, June 12, with a total of 600 head of cattle and calves on offer in the sale.

Speaking to Agriland after the sale, Skibbereen Mart manager Keith Mullaney said the trade was 'very strong' on the day and highlighted that a special weanling sale also took place on the day.

There were approximately 250 calves on sale with another 250 cattle and 150 weanlings on offer.

The calf numbers in the sale were up slightly on the previous week, with calf prices increasing marginally on the previous week also.

Mullaney described export buyer activity as "strong" and said that half of all calves were purchased for shipping.

Below are a couple of samples of prices on the day:

86kg Hereford bull sold for €655;
76kg Hereford bull sold for €580.

Commenting on the quality of calves on sale, Mullaney noted how "farmers are trying to get calves to the 70kg mark" at sale time to take advantage of the high prices.

He said there is a "big difference" in calf quality on previous years.

"We aren't seeing any poorer-type calves this year," he said.

The top price paid for bulls on the day went to a Belgian Blue weighing 450kg that made €2,250 or €5.00/kg.

Some other notable prices on the day include the following:

440kg Limousin bull made €2,150 or €4.87/kg;
375kg Limousin bull made €1,900 or €5.07/kg;
340kg Charolais bull made €1,700 or €5.00/kg.

Commenting on the pricing range, Mullaney said "U-grades are going from €4.60-5.30/kg".

Some of the notable heifer prices from the day include:

370kg roan Limousin heifer made €1,960 or €5.30/kg;
Two Charolais heifers weighing 360kg on average made €1,670/head or €5.30/kg;
370kg Limousin heifer made €1,660 or €4.49/kg;
340kg Simmental heifer made €1,520 or €4.47/kg

Heifers prices ranged from €4.50-€5.30/kg and trade was "positive", according to Mullaney.

Cull cows

According to Mullaney, dry cow demand was very strong, with beef cows making "good returns" and reaching the €3.40/kg mark.

One Simmental cow weighing 785kg made €2,650 or €3.37/kg.

Commenting on the mood of prospective buyers, Mullaney added that "farmers are readjusting to weanling prices" and are showing more interest than in previous weeks.

This cautious optimism is being reflected across marts around the country.

Skibbereen Mart will be holding another special weanling sale in a few weeks' time.