Saturday’s sale at Mohill mart saw a special sale of heifers on offer in conjunction with usual lots. The numbers on offer were quite strong for the time of year. According to mart manager Stephen Hannon, the trade was well improved with prices running at similar levels to early summer before beef price pressure and continued Brexit uncertainty drove prices down.

The majority of demand was coming from farmer buyers who were out to source stores after slaughtering cattle. In addition, there were some feeder buyers present who were out with renewed interest.

This Charolais cross heifer, born March 2019 and weighing 325kg, sold for €735 (€2.26/kg).

In terms of the bullocks on offer, numbers were small but demand was strong. At the top of the trade, prices reached over €1,300/head for a top-quality 655kg aged Charolais bullock. Other good quality types sold mainly from €1,150 to €1,250/head. There were some plainer types on offer also, and these were met with mixed demand and only low increases in prices.

This Charolais cross heifer, born January 2018 and weighing 550kg, sold for €1,075 (€1.95/kg).

The main supply of stock on offer were heifers, and the majority of these were good quality continentals. Prices were well improved on previous weeks, backed by strong farmer demand. However, where plain quality types were on offer, prices were only up slightly on the lows.

At the higher end of the market, top-quality heavy heifers sold to in excess of €1,300/head for top-quality U grades. Other heavy heifers from 500kg and upwards sold mainly from €1,050/head to close on €1,200/head.

This Angus cross bullock, born January 2018 and weighing 555kg, sold for €1,185 (€2.14/kg).

The majority of heifers on offer were stores from 400kg to 500kg, again these were a very good trade where the quality on offer was good. Prices of these ranged mainly from €900 to €1,100/head, which was similar to what they were selling at in late spring/early summer.

This Charoalis cross bullock, born April 2017 and weighing 655kg, sold for €1,330 (€2.03/kg).

However, plain quality light heifers in particular were a more variable trade. Plain Angus types under 350kg sold from €500 to €740/head. Continentals in the same weight range sold mainly from €750 to €850/head.

There was an entry of about 60 cull cows. These were mainly good quality continental types which were a slightly improved trade, according to mart manager Stephen.

This Charoalis cross bullock, born May 2018 and weighing 535kg, sold for €1,295 (€2.42/kg).