There were over 500 bullocks and 250 calves and runners on offer at Carnaross Mart’s weekly bullock and calf/runner sale on Monday, December 2.

Speaking to Agriland after the sale, mart manager Padraig McElroy said there was a 100% clearance in both the calf and bullocks sale rings.

In the bullock ring, the top price on the day went to a Charolais-cross bullock weighing 1,075kg that sold for €3,120. The bullock was sold by a farmer from Mullagh, Co. Cavan and was bought by a factory agent.

This Charolais-cross bullock weighed 1,075kg and sold for €3,120 or €2.90/kg

This is understood to be the second-highest price paid for a bullock at the mart this year beaten only by a 945kg Limousin bullock owned by Oliver and Jason Stanley from Kells, Co. Meath that sold on Monday, August 26 for €3,280.

The mart manager said: “We had a number of exceptional prices at this week’s sale with a 500kg continental bullock selling for €1,900 or €3.80/kg and another 640kg bullock selling €2,370 or €3.70/kg.

McElroy said that the trade for heavy bullocks has moved up €100/head in the past fortnight, and while a lot of the heavier type bullocks have already gone through the sale, there is still a huge demand for these from buyers.

This 470kg Charolais-cross bullock sold for €1,490 or €3.17/kg

Buyer demand from customers in Northern Ireland remains strong, with over 100 cattle from the Monday sale going north and exporter demand is firm also.

In the calf and runner sale, there were 250 head on offer, 90 of which were calves.

The Carnaross Mart manager said the calves in the sale are predominantly composed of Friesians, with 70kg Friesian bull calves making up to €245/head.

Sample prices from the calf and runner sale:

The reared calves (runners) are were described as “a serious trade” with reared Angus heifers weighing 120-130kg making €570-580, or over €4/kg in cases.

Carnaross Mart will have its last cattle sale of the year on Thursday, December 19, with heifers and cows. Sales will recommence on Monday, January 6, with the regular bullock sale and calf/runner sale.

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