Farmers, feedlot buyers and exporters have made their presence felt at the ringside over recent days; weanlings and cows are still particularly in demand.

The poor weather conditions, in some parts of the country, experienced last week failed to dampen the trade with mart managers reporting good clearances all round.

Weanling bulls – in particular – have remained in demand, as exporters and farmers battle to secure these lots. In addition, finished cow prices have also remained steady and many of the quality continental types have achieved prices exceeding the €2/kg mark.

Moving to the calf trade, the demand for Friesian bull calves has picked up again. Looking at prices, ‘black and white’ bull calves and lots suitable for export traded at €50-130/head.

Meanwhile, the lighter, younger calves are selling anywhere from €5/head to €50/head. Calves with Jersey genetics generally realise the lower of these prices.

Castlerea Mart

Some 800 cattle were presented for sale at Castlerea Mart, Co. Roscommon, on Thursday (March 29). The trade was reported as good for all categories of stock, despite the unfavourable weather.

Weanling heifers and bulls, in particular, proved to be very popular with these lots achieving the highest prices on the day. Heifers made up to €3.74/kg, while bulls sold to a top price of €3.73/kg.

Store heifers and dry cows also sold well. A good clearance rate was achieved, while an increased demand for breeding cattle led to higher prices for these lots.

140 bullocks also went under the hammer on the day. These lots traded for €400-935 along with their weight, while the average price paid was €688 over.

According to the mart’s Brendan Egan, cows with calves at foot made up to €1,900/unit and in-calf cows traded for €550-1,710/head.

A large number of calves were also presented for sale at the Roscommon-based venue. Good-quality calves were reported to be in demand, with plainer types proving to be a more difficult trade.

Raphoe Mart

Last Thursday’s sale in Raphoe Mart, Co. Donegal, featured a large entry of cattle, according to the mart’s Anne Harkin.

She added: “There was a great trade for all stock from start to finish.”

Top-class bulls weighing over 600kg sold at €520-985 over, the mart manager stated. Beef bullocks made €465-1,080 over and lighter stores made €450-940 along with their weight.

Beef heifers made €590-1,080 over and store heifers traded at €350-840 over or €2.20-2.95/kg. Fat, well-fleshed cows traded for €630-1,845 head.

Ennis Mart

A large sale took place in Ennis Mart on Thursday last; over 900 animals went under the hammer. The trade was reported to be very strong. However, quality was more variable in the bullock ring.

According to the mart’s Danny Moran, heavy cattle were in good demand and prices were improved by €30/head.

“In the heifer ring, both light and heavy heifers were commanding a good trade. Prices were improved on previous weeks with more feedlot buyer activity,” he explained.

The number of aged bulls passing through the ring on Thursday was similar to the previous week. The best of these made a top price of €2,160 (Charolais bull).

In the 4-star and 5-star heifer sale, lots weighing 300-400kg proved to be very popular. These animals sold for €1,000-1,260/head. Furthermore, cows were met with a very strong demand – especially store lots.

Kilrush Mart

There was a large turnout at the Kilrush Mart on Wednesday, March 28. Dry cows – both Friesian and continental types – passed through the ring. An increased number of heifers and bullocks also went under the hammer.

The calf trade was reported to be improved; calves were stronger and in better condition. Friesian bull calves suitable for export traded for €50-130/head, while Friesian lots purchased by farmers sold up to €200/head.

Furthermore, whitehead and Angus calves traded for €120-250/head, while continental calves made a top price of €350/head.

The mart’s manager Martin McNamara reported that there was an increased number of yearlings on offer.

Kilkenny Mart

A large cattle sale, consisting of 1,250 animals, was witnessed in Kilkenny Mart, Cillin Hill on Thursday last (March 29), according to the mart’s auctioneer, George Candler.

An excellent trade for all quality cattle was reported – especially continentals. However, Aberdeen Angus and Hereford type heifers, weighing 250-340kg, proved a more difficult trade.

In addition, he said, continental cull cows peaked at €2.10/kg, while Friesian cull cows traded for €0.90-1.80/kg.

Quality heifers also met a good trade. The heavier lots made €2.15-2.70/kg, €1.80-2.50/kg was paid for the forward store lots and the lighter store classes (<400kg) made €1.70-2.80/kg.

In the steer ring, Candler said quality beef and forward store lots sold well and the majority sold at €1.70-2.70/kg.

In addition, a number of cows with calves at foot also passed through the ring at the Kilkenny-based venue. These lots traded for €1,080-1,760/unit; in-calf cows sold for €900-1,690/head.