Tipperary Cattle Market in Tipperary town hosted its weekly general cattle sale on Friday, November 8, with over 650 cattle on offer in the sale and a full clearance.

Speaking to Agriland after the sale, Tipperary Cattle Market manager Mark Donovan said that the "trade is up a good bit for the smaller cattle".

He added: "The heavier cattle are steady but the younger cattle are a real good trade".

Sample cow prices from the cattle sale:

595kg Friesian cow sold for €950;
550kg Friesian cow sold for €800;
610kg Friesian cow sold for €900;
620kg Friesian cow sod for €1,140;
700kg Friesian cow sold for €1,270;
1,060kg cull Charolais stock bull sold for €2,620;
740kg Angus cow sold for €1,720;
790kg Aubrac cow sold for €1,860.

Commenting on the cow trade, he said the feeder cows were making from €1.20/kg up to around €1.70/kg the heavier cows were making up to €2.85/kg.

The parlour cows were making €1.20-€1.50/kg all depending on the fat cover. Young continental heifers are making up to €3.30/kg.

"Farmers and exporters are buying the real good ones," he explained.

Sample bullock and heifer prices from the sale in Tipperary town:

Angus bullocks weighing 510kg sold for €1,490;
Charolais bullock weighing 610kg sold for €1880;
Friesian bullock weighing 580kg sold for €1,510;
Hereford heifers with an average weight of 480kg sold for €1,350;
700kg Angus bullocks sold for €2,040;
Hereford heifers weighing 345kg sold for €980.

Continental bullocks were making up to €3.25/kg but a good lot of Angus cattle were selling between €2.70-3.00/kg. Feedlot buyers were keen for the cattle weighing over the 500kg mark.

Sample prices for runners from the sale in Tipperary town:

Five 220kg Hereford bulls sold for €670;
Six 241kg Angus bulls sold for €730;
245kg Herefird bulls sold for €820.

He noted there were "a good few Hereford and Angus runners in the sale" and said the heifers made €550 up to €750-760 for the bulls for the 200kg plus cattle".