The trade was brisk from start to finish for all types of stock at Carnaross Mart on Monday last (April 24). A large crowd attended the sale that saw calves, cows, heifers and bullocks all go under the hammer.
Farmers were very active around the rings and showed great interest in store animals. Heavier, well-finished bullocks were also in demand.
A large number of cattle were presented for sale and a high clearance rate was recorded; only a handful of animals went unsold.
The mart manager Hugh McNern stated: “Farmers were sourcing cattle for grass and I would expect this to be the case going forward; farmers are not finished buying yet.
“I would also expect the strong numbers and the trade to hold firm for the foreseeable future. A number of sellers have waited for more buyers to come on board as a result of grass growth,” he explained.
Heifers
In the heifer ring, 282 heifers went under the hammer and a 92% clearance rate was recorded.
Quality heifers met a good trade, with lighter lots peaking at €3.08/kg. In general, the heavier lots made €1.97-2.50/kg, €2.50-2.77/kg was paid for the forward store lots and the lighter store classes (<400kg) made €2.10-3.08/kg.
Good-quality continental stock dominated the sale; however, plainer heifers – particularly of dairy origin – proved to be a more difficult trade.
Click on a thumbnail in the gallery (below) to open up a full-size image; once opened you can scroll sideways to see the next picture. Refer to each caption to see details of each lot, including the sale price.
- These 512.5kg, April-2016 born, Limousin heifers sold for €1,230 or €2.40/kg
- This 600kg, February-2016 born, Charolais heifer made €1,530 or €2.55/kg
- This 525kg, April-2016 born, Charolais heifer sold for €1,330 or €2.53/kg
- This 490kg, March-2016 born, Limousin heifer sold for €1,350 or €2.75/kg
- This 420kg, May-2016 born, Charolais heifer sold for €1,060 or €2.52/kg
- These 272kg, September and October-2017 born, Limousin heifers made €840 or €3.08/kg
- This 610kg, April-2016 born, Parthenaise heifer made €1,480 or €2.42/kg
- This 475kg, May-2016 born, Charolais heifer made €1,260 or €2.65/kg
- This 455kg, April-2016 born, Blonde D’Aquitaine heifer made €1,190 or €2.61/kg
- These 457.5kg, March-2016 born, Limousin heifers made €1,130 or €2.46/kg
- This 490kg, 4-star, May-2016 born, Hereford heifer sold for €1,010 or €2.06/kg
- This 530kg, August-2015 born, Limousin heifer sold for €1,360 or €2.54/kg
- These 457.5kg, April and October-2016 born, Charolais heifers made €1,080 or €2.36/kg
- These 458.3kg, April and September-2016 born, Charolais heifers sold for €1,270 or €2.77/kg
Bullocks
In the bullock ring, a 95% clearance rate was achieved. On the day, farmers drove the trade and lighter bullocks were popular among these buyers.
In addition, beef and butcher bullocks also met a brisk demand. These lots achieved prices in excess of €1,700/head.
Generally speaking, good-quality beef lots sold in the region of €2.45-2.82/kg and forward store lots sold around the €2.70-2.81/kg mark. The lighter store lots (<400kg) traded at the €2.80-3.03/kg mark.
- This 565kg, April-2016 born, Charolais bullock sold for €1,445 or €2.55/kg
- This 545kg, March-2016 born, Charolais steer made €1,390 or €2.55/kg
- This 545kg, April-2016 born, Charolais bullock sold for €1,330 or €2.44/kg
- These 590kg, January-2016 born, Aberdeen Angus steers made €1,215 or €2.05/kg
- This 590kg, May-2016 born, Charolais bullock sold for €1,325 or €2.24/kg
- This 540kg, March-2016 born, Limousin bullock made €1,110 or €2.05/kg
- This 430kg, March-2016 born, Limousin bullock sold for €1,140 or €2.65/kg
- These 305kg, June-2017 born, Charolais bullocks made €960 or €3.14/kg
- This 360kg, July-2016 born, Charolais bullock made €810 or €2.25/kg
- This 485kg, September-2016 born, Hereford steer made €1,070 or €2.20/kg
- This 490kg, June-2016 born, Belgian Blue bullock sold for €1,235 or €2.52/kg
- These 520kg, April and May-2016 born, Charolais and Limousin steers made €1,195 or €2.29/kg
- These 510kg, June-2016 born, Charolais bullocks sold for €1,285 or €2.51/kg
- This 490kg, June-2016 born, Charolais steer sold for €1,255 or €2.56/kg
- This 560kg, March-2016 born, Hereford bullock made €1,100 or €1.96/kg
A number of dairy cows were also on offer at the Meath-based venue. A top price of €1,480 was achieved by a Friesian cow.
In addition, 275 calves also went under the hammer. ‘Black and white’ bull calves and lots suitable for export traded at €50-120/head. When it came to Friesian bull calves, farmers were willing to pay up to €120/head. Angus and Hereford bulls traded for €120-260/head, while heifers sold for €140-230/head.