The excellent grass growing conditions of the last week has brought farmers out in force around the ring at cattle marts, according to Mountrath Mart Manager Glen Cooper.
A number of mart managers reported an “exceptional trade” in the last week for cattle in general.
Mountrath Mart
There’s usually an EU sale every three weeks in Mountrath, but it was an ordinary sale last Thursday with the next EU is sale on June 30, Cooper said.
There was an exceptional trade for continental heifers last Thursday with lighter heifers making between €2.81-3.80/kg.
Heavier heifers were making between €2.55-2.97/kg, with heifers weighing 300kg making €890.
Heifers in the 300-400kg weight bracket, made €3.60-3.80/kg, while Hereford heifers were making €2.70/kg.
Suckler cows and calves, mostly 2nd, 3rd and 4th calvers made around €1,750.
According to Cooper, a  potential Brexit this week could impact significantly on the sales ring as Northern Irish buyers are currently bringing serious custom for heifers.
He also said that Sterling strengthening earlier this week by 2% indicated that all signs were looking positive for the UK to stay in the EU.
At the Laois mart, bulls for sale last week and 300-400kg makde €2.52-3/kg, while bulls of 400-500kg made €2.50-2.70/kg and heavier bulls 500-600kg made €2.20-2.40/kg.
Raphoe Mart
Anne Harkin of Raphoe Mart said last week’s trade was “excellent” with many farmers buying for grass. Heifers were making €2.90/kg with lighter heifers hitting €3/kg. Young bulls were making up to €3/kg.
Fat continental cows made up to €1,480 and Friesian cows made between 750-€1000.
There was mostly continental stock at Thursday’s sale. Bullocks traded at 2.40-€2.80/kg.
Carnew Mart
There was a good trade on Saturday in Carnew, with around 1,000 head of cattle up for sale, according to Mart Manager David Quinn.
He said that farmer buyers were again the dominant presence down his part of the country.
There were a lot of heavy cattle present with the top price for a 950kg Limousin bullock making €2,000.
Continental store bullocks of the forward type weighing over 500kg were making €2.20-2.40/kg and the top price being paid €2.52/kg.
Continental bullocks under 500kg were making €2.30-2.60/kg with €2.80/kg being the top price paid.
Weanling bulls traded at €2.10-2.30/kg with €2.80/kg common for the better quality animals. Heifers for beef were going for €2.20-2.40/kg and the top price paid was €2.55/kg
A 270kg store heifer sold for €1,030, while 120 continental dry cows were also sold on the day and there was a good demand for these also, making €1.60-2.05/kg.
Friesian dry cows made €1.30-1.65/kg, while the trade for calves saw Friesian bulls making €130-220.
Continental bulls made €250-480, while continental heifers made €180-430. Hereford and Angus bulls made €150-400 and Hereford and Angus heifers made from €130-370.
