Manager’s report…Maura Quigley, Roscommon Mart
“There was a good entry of excellent quality cattle on offer at last Friday’s sale which included a special sale of heifers. There was a steady trade for bullocks with prices ranging from an average of €2.21 per kilo up to €2.73 per kilo, while there was a firm trade for heifers with averages of €2.33 per kilo up to €2.83 per kilo. Dry cows fetched from €1.64 per kilo up to €2.04 per kilo. Once again, there was good demand for all classes with plenty of customers anxious for stock.
“The mart will host a special sale of bullocks this Friday (5th) at 11 am. There will also be a Special Sale of Bullocks & Special Sale for Heifers on Friday, April 12th. Bookings accepted up to 5 pm today (Thursday, April 4th).
“There were smaller numbers on offer this week. Prices for finished hoggets peaked at €129 for 53.5kgs. There was a steady trade for cast ewes with prices ranging from €80 up to €127. Sales continue each Wednesday at 11 am for lambs and cast ewes. There is a sheep scanning service each Wednesday from 9 am to 10 am”.
Roscommon Mart sample prices
Dry cows
BA 800kgs €1465, Char 780kgs €1400, Char X 775kgs €1370, SAX 665kgs €1360, AAX 765kgs €1305, HEX 555kgs €840, Lim X 665kgs €930, HEX 740kgs €970, Simm X 655kgs €1020, Char X 775kgs €1265, Lim X 740kgs €1240.
Heifers
Char X 710kgs €1650, Char X 680kgs €1600, 2 Char X 550kgs €1400, 3 Lim 536kgs €1365, 2 Char X 520kgs €1340, Lim X 490kgs €1325, Char 470kgs €1245, Lim 460kgs €1230, Lim X 415kgs €1100, Char X 395kgs €1055, Simm 530kgs €1400,Char X 445kgs €1260.
Bullocks
AAX 585kgs €1385, Simm X 615kgs €1365, BBX 430kgs €1110, BBX 370kgs €820, 7 AAX 392kgs €800, AAX 335kgs €800, Simm X 275kgs €750.
Finished hoggets
58.9kgs €129, 53.5kgs €129, 48.6kgs €120.
Spring lamb
51kgs €130.
Manager’s report…Brendan Egan, Castlerea Mart
“Large numbers of stock presented for sale this week with the spring trade in full swing as farmers, agents, feedlots and exporters were out in force trying to source stock.
“The heifer trade reported a good clearance this week while the weanling trade aided by export demand witnessed good demand also. The dry cow trade was very strong this week with the better quality lots exceeding €2 a kilo while the calf trade received a timely boost in price this week. Breeding stock numbers are slowly on the increase and they met with a flying trade.
“Cows with calves at foot made from €920 to €1,700 per head, with springer cows making from €800 to €1,300 per head. Dairy calves made from €25 to €95 per head, Aberdeen Angus cross and Hereford cross made from €150 to €285 with continentals making up to €310. Runners ranged in price from €350 to €800 for stronger continental lots.
“100 bullocks presented for sale at our first spring sale (Monday 25th) with a flier of a trade for all classes on offer as farmers and agents tried to source stock for summer feeding.
“Sales continue at Castlerea Mart today (Thursday 4th) with our usual sale of heifers, cows, calves, runners and weanlings. All sales commence at 11 am”.
Castlerea Mart sample prices
Heifers
Sim 420kgs €1120, Ch 385kgs €1060, Lm 420kgs €1055, Lm 450kgs €1170, Ch 445kgs €1120, Chx 680kgs €1580, Lm 640kgs €1510, Ch 595kgs €1355, AA 660kgs €1520.
Dry cows
Lm 790kgs €1490, BBx 610kgs €1390, Lm 680kgs €1380, Lm 665kgs €1335, Lm 725kgs €1335, AA 465kgs €710.
Weanling heifers
Ch 275kgs €840, Lm 250kgs €805, Ch 355kgs €1030, BB 340kgs €990, Ch 330kgs €995.
Weanling bulls
Ch 245kgs €825, Ch 220kgs €785, Lm 260kgs €765, Ch 435kgs €1330, Ch 425kgs €1180, Ch 380kgs €1120.
Bullocks
Chx 480kgs €1210, AA 490kgs €1225, Lmx 515kgs €1370, AA 525kgs €1295, Lm 575kgs €1385, Ch 565kgs €1365, Ch 635kgs €1460, Ch 680kgs €1500.
