Manager Brendan Egan said strong demand outstripped supply for an entry of about 300 head at last Thursday’s (22 Jan) general cattle sale in Castlerea Mart.

He said the continued lift in beef prices helped increase demand for slaughter-fit and short-keep stores combined with growing activity from Northern buyers and agents purchasing for English feedlots.

R and U grade bullocks and heifers weighing 450kg to 550kg sold on average from €2.20/kg to €2.50/kg with plainer quality O grade animals and dairy-bred stock selling from €2.00/kg to €2.25/kg. Animals weighing 600kg plus sold from €1.90/kg to €2.40/kg with the differential between in-spec and out-of- QPS spec animals closing in recent months, helped by agents purchasing for a strong Northern trade.

Farmers were competing head-on with live exporters and dealers for middle of the road to high-quality weanlings. Prices for good quality Charolais, Limousin and Blue weanling bulls ranged from €2.40/kg to €3.00/kg with a selection of the highest quality lots to €3.30/kg to €3.50/kg. Heifers ranged from €2.30/kg to €2.80/kg, with top-quality lots breaking €3/kg and small numbers of crosses from the dairy herd back to €2/kg.

While numbers are low, calves have started strongly. Hereford and Angus cross calves sold from €300 to €400 per head with continental cross calves selling from €340 to €500 upwards. A selection of reared Herford calves weighing 110kg to 140kg sold from €410 to €475.

Slaughter-fit O grade cows sold from €1.75/kg to €1.90/kg with R and U grades from €1.95/kg to €2.20/kg. An entry of good-quality cows with CH calves at foot sold from €1,500 to €2,200.

Commission rates are 1.9% to the seller and €9 to the buyer.