Last week's cattle sale at Enniscorthy Mart noticed a smaller showing of cattle than previous weeks - reflecting the trend currently seen at most marts nationwide.

This comes following the mart having witnessed large sales of cattle right throughout the autumn period, according to Enniscorthy Mart's manager Kevin Murphy.

Before the heifers and bullocks came through the ring, there was "a big entry of cull cows which has been the case for the last month", according to the Enniscorthy Mart manager.

A total of 25 pens of cows was on offer at the sale, with a range of both dairy and suckler cows - both fleshed and store-type cows.

Commenting on the trade at the sale, Kevin Murphy said: "Overall, the trade was much improved on recent weeks with buyers more eager for stock."

He noted that the plainer lots "saw the biggest improvement in price" last week.

Murphy explained that prior to last week's sale, "plainer cattle would have dropped further than the quality cattle in the past few weeks, with some lots edging up €50/head to €70/head on two weeks ago".

Despite the big number of cows at the sale, the cull cow trade saw a lift in prices at Enniscorthy.

Kevin noted that "more buyers were present both online and ringside".

Cull suckler-bred cows ranged from €1,220 for a 660kg store Charolais, up to €1,600 for a finished 890kg Angus cow.

Finished Friesians sold from €980 up to €1,190 for 830kg.

Sample prices from the cow ring:

Store Friesian cows sold from €500 up to €920/head on the day.

Commenting on the trade for forward-type bullocks, Murphy said: "There has been a strong demand for finished and forward cattle which has never dropped all season.

Quality suckler-bred forward bullocks ranged from €2.21/kg up to €2.40/kg.

Finished cattle were scarce on the day and ranged from €1,330 up to €1,790 for an 800kg Limousin-cross bullock.

Light store bullocks sold from €730 for plainer lots out of the dairy herd up to €1,180 for two top-quality Limousins weighing 455kg.

Quality stock were selling from €2.24/kg up to a top price of €2.59/kg and the plainer bullocks were making from €1.90/kg up to €2.15/kg.

Store Friesian bullocks were scarce on the day and ranged from €1.65/kg up to €1.91/kg for a grouping of four nice Friesians weighing 570kg making €1,090.

Sample prices for Friesian bullocks:

Forward store-type heifers sold from €2.03/kg up to €2.36/kg for quality lots. Plainer, dairy-bred heifers ranged anywhere from €1.68/kg up to €2.16/kg.

Light store suckler-bred heifers with plenty of scope sold from €2.09/kg up to €2.50/kg, with a 380kg Limousin making €950.