Continued heavy rain and unsettled weather did not put too many buyers or sellers off at Balla Mart on Saturday. There was an extremely large entry for the time of year, with over 1,100 cattle on offer.

Farmers and agents were the main sources of demand, with all very active for all good-quality cattle. The quality of stock on offer was a little higher than last week and the prices mirrored this, with some better-quality cattle a stronger trade. Age did not put buyers off, or have much effect on prices.

In the heifer ring, all top-quality continentals showing good conformation were snapped up by finishers at good prices, with little difference between young and aged lots. Many of those over 600kg that were of R+ or U grade conformation saw prices exceed €1,400/head, with some heifers passing €1,500/head with ease.

This Charolais-cross heifer born December 2018 and weighing 545kg sold for €1,200 (€2.20/kg).

This Simmental-cross heifer born May 2017 and weighing 610kg sold for €1,300 (€2.13/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer born May 2017 and weighing 530kg sold for €1,200 (€2.26/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer born March 2017 and weighing 545kg sold for €1,125 (€2.06/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer born March 2017 and weighing 545kg sold for €1,125 (€2.06/kg).

This Limousin-cross heifer born April 2019 and weighing 280kg sold for €670 (€2.39/kg).

This Charolais-cross heifer born March 2019 and weighing 255kg sold for €735 (€2.88/kg).

The average 600kg heifer sold for €2.10/kg to 2.20/kg. Heifers from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality R grades, with some U grades selling for over €2.40/kg.

Stores from 400kg to 500kg were a good trade once again, with plenty of demand for all types. Prices ranged mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg and up to €2.60/kg for top-quality heifers, which was a little stronger than last week.

Lighter weanling heifers were a good trade also, with average-quality continentals selling mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg for those weighing from 300kg to 400kg. Good-quality light heifers were a strong trade, with prices for these ranging mainly from €600 to €750/head.

Aged bullocks were a little slower to sell than in-spec types, but there was a strong trade for all bullocks and bulls. Average-quality bullocks over 600kg sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.25/kg. Top-quality bullocks made close to €2.40/kg.

This Limousin-cross bullock born April 2019 and weighing 370kg sold for €1,035 (€2.80/kg).

This Limousin-cross bullock born May 2019 and weighing 300kg sold for €775 (€2.58/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock born April 2019 and weighing 330kg sold for €945 (€2.86/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock born March 2018 and weighing 565kg sold for €1,320 (€2.34/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock born March 2017 and weighing 820kg sold for €1,650 (€2.01/kg).

Store bullocks from 500kg to 600kg were met with good demand and plenty of buyers were active for them. Cattle were a little easier sold than last week, which helped the trade. Prices ranged mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality types from 500kg to 600kg.

Angus bullocks were a strong and steady trade where they were on offer. These sold mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg.

Stores from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg for average-quality types. The top third sold for over €2.55/kg.

Bulls over 400kg were a strong trade also, selling from €2.30/kg to €2.60/kg. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg were in demand, selling from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg for R grades.

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