Carnew Mart in Co. Wicklow hosted its weekly general cattle sale on Saturday, July 12, with over 500 head of cattle and 80 calves on offer.

Commenting on the trade, Carnew Mart's Eugene Clune said: "It was a very lively trade with prices showing a notable lift of €40-€80/head on previous weeks.

"Beef bullocks were particularly strong, hitting over €5.00/kg on occasions with a 454kg Belgian Blue bullock making €2,630 or €5.79/kg."

Some of the top bullock prices from the sale:

412kg Limousin bullock sold for €2,300 or €5.58/kg;
Two 444kg Limousin bullocks sold for €2,410 or €5.43/kg;
510kg Belgian Blue bullock sold for €2,670 or €5.24/kg;
718kg Simmental bullock sold for €3,580 or €4.99/kg;
Four 560kg Limousin and Angus bullocks sold for €2,700 or €4.83/kg.

Commenting on the trade for store bullocks, Clune said: "Store bullocks were in very high demand, with strong farmer interest driving prices.

"Factory agents and feedlot buyers were active around the ring and online, keeping the trade brisk for forward-stores."

Store Angus bullocks were "consistently" making over the €4/kg price mark in the sale, while light Friesian bullocks ranged in price from from €3.50-€4.00/kg, depending on quality.

Heifers were a strong trade in the sale also, matching the bullocks for demand and intensity with high factory and feedlot demand apparent.

Some of the top heifer prices:

560kg Belgian blue heifer sold for €3,230 or €5.77/kg;
574kg Limousin heifer sold for €2,970 or €5.17/kg;
235kg Limousin heifer sold for €1,170 or €4.98/kg;
Three Hereford heifers weighing 243kg sold for €1,200 or €4.94/kg.

The top price in the heifer sale went to a 560kg Belgian Blue-cross heifer that sold for €3,230 or €5.77/kg.

Some of the top cow prices from the sale:

722kg Limousin cow sold for €3,190 or €4.42/kg;
804kg Angus cow sold for €3,280 or €4.08/kg;
600kg Belgian Blue cow sold for €2,440 or €4.07/kg;
646kg Hereford cow sold for €2,600 or €4.02/kg.

Cow prices reached €4.42/kg for a 722kg Limousin cow that made €3,190 and a 602kg Friesian cow made €2,150 or €3.57/kg.

Bulls made up to €5.29/kg for a 314kg Limousin bull that totalled €1,660. another entry of four Friesian bulls averaging 213kg each made €900/head or €4.22/kg.