Manager of Longford and Westmeath Farmers' Mart (Ballymahon Mart) in Co. Longford, William Jones, gave his analysis and outlook on the cattle trade at the mart's bullock, heifer and dry cow sale on Thursday (October 22).

The pedigree Angus and Hereford breeder and sheep farmer has been running the mart for over six years.

Commenting on the current cattle trade, the Ballymahon Mart manager said that: "At the minute, it's going good."

He acknowledged that the trade overall is "slightly back on last year" but said: "Compared to the trade that's in the factory, they are very good".

He noted the dry-cows as well as the good Charolais stores and Limousin bullocks weighing 500kg plus as being a particularly good trade.

Click on the gallery below to see sample prices from the most recent bullock sale at Ballymahon Mart:

Commenting on seller sentiment and buyer confidence, the mart manager said "it's after improving".

"Back in that early to mid-summer when the cattle were lulling off a bit in price in the factory, it [confidence] was a little worse, but it's after improving."

Jones said that the Saturday weanling sales at the mart "is a fine trade" with the exporters active at the sale also.

How are cattle trade trends changing at the mart?

The mart manager explained that traditionally, Ballymahon Mart was always geared towards continental-type cattle but - in line with trends across the country - the mart is seeing growing numbers of Angus and Hereford cattle being sold there.

He said that this was the first year that the mart hosted a calf sale, which proved popular with both local sellers and buyers.

Interestingly, Jones also noticed that he has seen a rise in the numbers of farmers buying Angus and Hereford store bullocks in the 400-450kg weight range.

He said that older farmers in particular that traditionally would have bought more continental cattle are now buying these types.

He said: "The good Charolais bullock is still a good trade but I see a big swing towards them Angus bullocks.

"They want quiet cattle that if they go out to the field that they'll just follow them in or that."

Outlook for the cattle trade?

Jones remains quietly confident on the cattle trade into the end of this year and early 2026 but acknowledged it's "terribly hard to know".

"I think it will stay good. I think you're going to see a lot more dairy cattle in the in the marts.

"You're going to see a lot more farmers buying them Angus and white-head cattle, and the good [continental] store cattle will always be a good trade but I think you're going to see a lot more dairy cattle in the marts."

He acknowledged that the 'golden' Charolais and Limousin suckler-bred stock will always have a loyal customer base but said "there definitely is a swing towards Angus, and even a share of farmers going rearing calves too."