Enniscorthy Mart in Co. Wexford hosted its general cattle sale on Tuesday, February 4, with approximately 600 cattle on offer.

Speaking to Agriland after the sale, auctioneer Fionn Sherlock said there was a full clearance of the cattle on offer.

He noted that as well as the strong customer base from the local region, there were also several buyers from the northern half of the country active for heavy and fleshed cattle, with agents from factories in the north-west and north-east present also.

Sherlock said that the move to start the cull cow sale at the earlier time of 9:30a.m is due to the larger numbers of cows coming out to the mart sale.

He added that there are a lot of beef and well-done cattle coming out to the sale to date this year.

According to the auctioneer, most of the heavy beef bullocks made over €3,000, with as high as €3,690 or €4.19/kg paid for an 880kg Limousin bullock.

Lighter store bullocks made over €4.70/kg, with a 390kg Limousin bullock selling for €1,840 or €4.72/kg.

Forward store heifers also managed to clear €3,000 in cases, with an entry of three Limousin heifers weighing 717kg making €3,060 or €4.27/kg.

Lighter store heifers sold for up to €5.35/kg for a 310kg Limousin heifer that made €1,660.

Cull cows made up to €3,740 or €3.82/kg for a 980kg Charolais cow.

Calf sale

In the calf sale on Wednesday, plain Friesian calves made up to €250/head, according to mart manager Kevin Murphy.

Murphy said that good Angus and Hereford calves with a bit of age are managing to reach €600.

He believes that calf prices will level off as the larger numbers appear, but still expects the calf trade overall to be stronger than last year.