Tuam Co-operative Livestock Mart held its weekly general cattle sale on bank holiday Monday (June 1), where 175 cattle were on offer. 

Speaking to Agriland after the sale, assistant manager at Tuam mart Saoirse Loftus, said that the number of cattle on offer in the sale was up on the previous week. 

She noted that there was relatively a low level of demand from export buyers but that it did not affect the clearance rate which was described as "good", settling at approximately 95%. 

Bullocks weighing from 300-400kgs averaged €4.77/kg with the top animal in this category, a Limousin bullock weighing 352kgs, fetching a price of €5.11/kg or €1,800. 

Heavier bullocks weighing between 400-500kgs averaged €3.77/kg with an Angus cross, weighing 445kgs going for €3.73/kg or €1,600 in total. 

Bullocks over 500kgs averaged €3.61/kg with a Charolais cross weighing 625kgs making €2,460 or €3.94/kg. 

Mart

Sale numbers were up on the previous week and the mart's assistant manager said that this was expected due to the bank holiday. 

She expects sale numbers to drop off over the summer months. 

Commenting on the buyer demand, Loftus said that the activity has been impacted by reductions in beef price offers from factories, with farmers less confident on the trade when going out to buy cattle. 

Heifers weighing between 300-400kgs averaged €4.15/kg and price topped out at €4.65/kg for a Charolais heifer weighing 370kgs, totalling €1,730.  

Heifers weighing between 400-500kgs averaged €3.80/kg with the top heifer in this range, a Limousin weighing 470kg making €4.34/kg or €2,040 total. 

Heifers weighing over 500kgs averaged €3.54/kg with two Angus cross’s weighing 540kgs, making €1,850 each or €3.43/kg. 

Cow prices included: 

540kg Limousin cross making €2,110 at €3.91/kg; 
650kg Belgium Blue cross making €2,180 at €3.35/kg; 
740kg Limousin cross making €2,100 at €2.84/kg; 
810kg Limousin cross making €2,700 at €3.33/kg. 

Loftus said “trade was good, but numbers are down on this time last year" describing the reduction as “significant”.  

This follows the trend seen across the country in the last month as cattle prices have fallen across the board with prices for heifers, steers, cows, and young bulls, all down this week. 

The factory price quotes for bullocks has dropped by 80c/kg since the first week of January, costing farmers €320 for a 400kg carcass-weight bullock.