An entry of almost 150 bulls in Roscommon Mart’s fortnightly weanling sale on Tuesday met a flying trade with specialist bull beef finishers underpinning demand for heavier bulls while farmers drove the trade for lighter bulls.
The majority of bulls weighing in excess of 400kg were Charolais crosses.
The average price was in the region of €3.20/kg to €3.30/kg.
This ranged from plainer-quality bulls selling from €3.10/kg to €3.20/kg to top-quality bulls selling in the main from €3.30/kg to €3.60/kg.
A handful of bulls exceeded this range selling to a top of €3.93/kg or €1,670 paid for a 425kg bull. Limousin cross bulls sold in the main from €3/kg to €3.25/kg.
Farmer buyers drove demand for bulls weighing 300kg to 400kg with Charolais-crosses again dominating entries.
The average price here was in the region of €3.40/kg to €3.50/kg with a high percentage selling from €3.30/kg to €3.60/kg and a selection of excellent quality lots to as high as €4/kg.
Limousin-cross bulls trended 10c/kg to 15c/kg lower.
The heifer trade was also brisk for an entry of over 70 head.
The best-quality Charolais-cross heifers weighing 300kg to 400kg with a good frame and ideal to hit grass sold from €3.30/kg to €3.50/kg with a small selection back to €3.10/kg to €3.20/kg.
Heavier heifers weighing over 400kg trended 10c/kg lower in average prices with fleshed heifers at the lower end of the price range and heifers capable of achieving quick compensatory growth at the upper end.