Pics and prices: Short-keep cattle in demand at Ballyjamesduff Mart

Some 600 cattle were on offer at Ballyjamesduff Mart on Tuesday last (August 14). Four rings were in operation which saw calves, weanlings, heifers, bullocks and cows all go under the hammer.

The trade was sharp for the quality; lots on offer and a 95% clearance rate was achieved. Although plainer cattle realised lower prices, there were still buyers in the market for these lots.

Beef and forward lots were popular among buyers; short-keep cattle also proved popular. The mart’s manager John Tevlin outlined that the trade has strengthened somewhat in recent weeks after a slow period.

“Things have picked up in recent weeks; we were not too badly affected as we have heavier ground and it didn’t burn up as much thankfully.

“Northern farmers were also not as badly affected and these customers were anxious for stock. However, the trade did dip with the way beef prices went. However, I’d expect to have the five rings in operation next Tuesday,” he explained.

Heifers

Good-quality heifers were in demand – especially the heavier lots. These animals met a good trade and a top call of €1,400 was achieved by a 550kg animal.

Plainer types were easier, but customers still purchased these lots – albeit at lower prices.

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.

: This 415kg, April-2017 born, Charolais heifer sold for €1,060 or €2.55/kg

: These 338kg, October and December-2017 born, Belgian Blue and Charolais heifers made €880 or €2.60/kg

: This 378kg, 4-star, March-2017 born, Limousin heifer made €870 or €2.30/kg

: This 360kg, June-2017 born, Charolais heifer sold for €900 or €2.50/kg

: This 575kg, June-2016 born, Hereford heifer sold for €1,060 or €1.84/kg

: This 465kg, March-2017 born, Charolais heifer sold for €1,035 or €2.22/kg

: This 365kg, June-2017 born, Charolais heifer sold for €910 or €2.49/kg

: This 460kg, March-2017 born, Limousin heifer made €1,135 or €2.46/kg

: This 410kg, April-2017 born, Charolais heifer made €890 or €2.17/kg

: This 383kg, March-2017 born, Limousin heifer sold for €895 or €2.33/kg

: This 458kg, March-2017 born, Charolais heifer sold for €1,060 or €2.31/kg

: This 455kg, February-2017 born, Charolais heifer made €1,035 or €2.27/kg

: This 533kg, 4-star, February-2017 born, Charolais heifer made €1,160 or €2.17/kg

: This 555kg, December-2016 born, Charolais heifer sold for €1,330 or €2.39/kg

: This 455kg, April-2017 born, Charolais heifer sold for €1,120 or €2.46/kg

Bullocks

Forward steers were also in demand. Beef bullocks sold to a top call of €2.45/kg; this bullock weighed 840kg and sold at €2,060.

Lighter bullocks also achieved good prices and a Limousin bullock – weighing 330kg – sold for €2.84/kg. Again, plainer steers were an easier trade, but they still sold in the majority of cases.

: This 620kg, March-2016 born, Charolais steer made €1,355 or €2.02/kg

: This 315kg, July-2017 born, Charolais bullock made €690 or €2.19/kg

: This 480kg, April-2016 born, Friesian bullock sold for €900 or €1.88/kg

: This 635kg, May-2016 born, Charolais bullock sold for €1,450 or €2.28/kg

: This 575kg, February-2017 born, Aberdeen Angus bullock sold for €1,100 or €1.91/kg

: This 580kg, July-2017 born, Charolais steer made €1,280 or €2.20/kg

: This 525kg, March-2017 born, Limousin bullock sold for €1,040 or €1.98/kg

: This 360kg, April-2017 born, Charolais bullock made €900 or €2.50/kg

: These 410kg, February-2017 born, Hereford bullocks made €750 or €1.83/kg

: This 330kg, July-2017 born, Limousin bullock made €940 or €2.84/kg

: These 325kg, June and December-2017 born, Limousin steers made €810 or €2.49/kg

Cows

A 100% clearance rate was recorded in the cull cow ring. These lots achieved prices in the €2.00/kg region and a shake higher in some cases. A number of cows with calves at foot also went under the hammer on the day.

John said: “There’s a keen demand for the dry cows. Some of the factories seem to be short of cows this week and they returned to the ring to make up the short fall.

“The panic killing due to the drought seems to be over with the dairy men. Culls made up to €2.21/kg,” he added.

: This four-year-old Blonde d’Aquitaine cow and her Limousin bull calf made €1,360

: This five-year-old Hereford cow and her Belgian Blue heifer calf made €1,460

: This two-year-old Limousin cow and her bull calf made €1,015

: This 610kg, 4-star, March-2006 born, Limousin cow made €1,075 or €1.76/kg

: This 625kg, May-2005 born, Limousin cow sold for €1,075 or €1.72/kg

: This 645kg, April-2011 born, Charolais cow sold for €980 or €1.51/kg

Bulls

A number of bulls also passed through the ring. These lots met a sharp trade, with quality lots achieving the highest prices.

Continuing, John said: “There was a market there for anything nice. It’s early yet for weanlings around this part of the country; these lots are only starting to come.”