End of month Continental sale sees improved prices at Mayo mart

THE end of month Continental sale took place at Balla Mart on Saturday and prices were improved.

The prices for store bullocks were up on last week due to farmers buying for the grass or seven-month scheme as it’s the end of March.

Farmers are becoming more price conscious when picking up cattle, as can be seen from the averages - in general around the €1,800 to €2,000 plus mark for natural stores, but lighter cattle, of course, aren't making that.

Bullocks 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.98/kg - up .16c/kg on last week; bullocks 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.52/kg - up .28c/kg; while bullocks 500kg plus averaged €4.24/kg - ironically to last week within a cent.

Top prices in the bullocks included:

275kg CHX €1,810 (€6.58/kg)

370kg LMX €2,460 (€6.56/kg)

495kg LMX €2,500 (€5.05/kg)

695kg LMX €3,100 (€4.46/kg)

795kg AUX €3,310 (€4.16/kg)

This week there were just over 300 lots of heifers. One two-year-old Limousin heifer weighing 500kg made €3,480 (€6.96/kg).

Heifers 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.69/kg, heifers 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.29/kg, and those 500kgs plus averaged €4.08/kg.

Top prices in the heifers included:

275kg CHX €1,700 (€6.18/kg)

365kg LMX €2,060 (€5.64/kg)

445kg LMX €2,540 (€5.71/kg

500kg LMX €3,480 (€6.96/kg)

Dry cows 500kg plus this week were down to €3.25/kg.

There were 90 cows for the third ring with 44 of these weighing in excess of 700kg and four making over €4,000.

Best in the springers was an April ‘22 Charolais cow with its bull calf at foot that was bought for €4,300 for a Crossmolina farmer.

Saturday, April 4, will be the next sale, with booking this Wednesday on low call 0818 301 401.