Compared to last week, there was a big entry of cattle at the weekly sale held in Delvin Mart on Thursday, January 14.

Following strict Covid-19 health and safety protocols, AgriLand attended this week’s sale to get an insight into how cattle were trading at the Westmeath-based mart.

In total, there was approximately 190 head of cattle entered. Plenty of store animals were on offer this week, although the absence of the heavy and more forward-type bullocks and heifers was easy to note.

Heifer trade

In the heifer trade, it proved to be the lighter stores that commanded the best prices on the day. Females weighing under 300kg reached up to heights of €2.84/kg for three light Hereford weanling heifers.

Angus heifers under a similar weight were peaked at €2.60/kg. Moving up the scales to the 400-500kg bracket, again store females with Angus breeding ranged from €2.22/kg back to €1.86/kg. Hereford heifers generally traded at €1.83-2.04/kg.

From the choice of continental store heifers on offer, they sold from €2.32/kg back to €2.04/kg.

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 hammer price.

Sample heifer prices (under 400kg):

  • Angus: 325kg – €710 or €2.18/kg;
  • Hereford: 320kg – €700 or €2.18/kg;
  • Charolais: 310kg – €720 or €2.32/kg;
  • Angus: 304kg – €770 or €2.53/kg;
  • Hereford: 202kg – €490 or €2.42/kg;
  • Hereford: 205kg – €500 or €2.43/kg.

Sample heifer prices (400-550kg):

  • Limousin: 520kg – €1,100 or €2.11/kg;
  • Hereford: 515kg – €960 or €1.86/kg;
  • Limousin: 505kg – €1,150 or €2.27/kg;
  • Hereford: 480kg – €950 or €1.97kg;
  • Angus: 455kg – €870 or €1.95/kg;
  • Belgian Blue: 445kg – €970 or €2.17/kg;
  • Hereford: 415kg – €830 or €2.00/kg.

Bullock trade

Taking a look at the bullocks, there were slightly less numbers presented compared to the heifers, although steady prices were recorded.

Continental stores weighing around 400-530kg peaked at €2.29/kg for a Simmental bullock. There were a few heavier Charolais and Limousin bullocks that sold at €1.99-2.19/kg.

The Angus and Hereford store bullocks generally traded from €1.84/kg up to €2.04/kg. A group of light Friesian bullocks under 400kg sold at €1.72-1.96/kg.

Sample bullock prices: 

  • Charolais: 675kg – €1,480 or €2.19/kg;
  • Hereford: 560kg – €1,100 or €1.96/kg;
  • Limousin: 545kg – €1,170 or €2.14/kg;
  • Simmental: 545kg – €1,100 or €2.01/kg;
  • Charolais: 530kg – €1,170 or €2.20/kg;
  • Hereford: 530kg – €1,000 or €1.88/kg;
  • Hereford: 460kg – €930 or €2.02/kg;
  • Hereford: 440kg – €890 or €2.02/kg;
  • Belted Galloway: 355kg – €800 or €2.25/kg.

There were a few light bulls on offer as well on Thursday. The tops of the continental bulls, weighing under 270kg, sold from €2.11/kg up to €2.71/kg.

Cow trade

Cull cows traded well on Thursday with tops of €1.91/kg achieved for a Saler cow, weighing 575kg. Prices for heavier continental-bred cows ranged from €1.90/kg back to €1.42/kg.

The highest price recorded for a Friesian-bred cow came to €1.41/kg.

There was a special entry of 10 in-calf heifers which were Angus and Hereford bred and sold certified in-calf to an Angus bull. These females sold from €1,240/head back to €1,100/head.