Cull cows ‘making more than some bullocks’ at Balla Mart

Balla Mart – Cattle Prices – 16-04-2022

According to Stephen Hannon, Balla Mart’s most recent general cattle sale on Saturday, April 16^th, 2022, attracted over 900 entries.

The mart manager and general manager of Aurivo Marts reported that the sale drew some “great quality” cattle with prices “going up a bit higher” every week.

“Heavy cows are a woeful trade according to some buyers, with some making more than bullocks. Online buyers are pushing trade on,” Hannon remarked.

Balla Mart 16-04-2022

Bullock prices

Hannon reported an “excellent” clearance in ring one (bullocks), as trade remained strong for quality lots, but lighter and mixier types were an easier trade.

He said that bullocks 300kg to 400kg averaged €2.79/kg, while those in the 400kg to 500kg bracket levelled at €2.63/kg and heavier bullocks 500kg+ averaged €2.68/kg.

The top price in this ring at €2,280 came in the form of an April-2020-born Limousin bullock, weighing 750kgs.

• CHX – 500kgs – €1,390;
• CHX – 690kgs – €1,980;
• LMX – 670kgs – €2,030;
• CHX – 625kgs – €1,550;
• SIX – 365kgs – €950;
• SHX – 505kgs – €1,100;
• AAX – 530kgs – €1,240;
• CHX – 625kgs – €1,640;
• BAX – 480kgs – €1,350;
• LMX – 440kgs – €1,200;
• LM – 400kgs – €1,200;
• BBX – 535kgs – €1,100;
• LMX – 750kgs – €2,280;
• CHX – 670kgs – €2,050;
• 1 CHX – 500kgs – €1,350;
• CHX – 605kgs – €1,550;
• FR – 555kgs – €1,180;
• LMX – 595kgs – €1,770;
• AAX – 665kgs – €2,030;
• CHX – 545kgs – €1,630;
• HEX – 635kgs – €1,540;
• CHX – 270kgs – €960;
• CHX – 380kgs – €1,130.

Heifer prices:

According to Hannon, over 300 lots passed through ring two (heifers), with trade “on par” with the previous week’s returns.

He reported that heifers up to 400 kg averaged €2.75/kg, while those in the 400kg to 500kg bracket levelled at €2.67/kg, and females 500kgs+ averaged €2.68/kg.

The top price in this ring at €1,950 was an Aberdeen-Angus, weighing 710kgs, at €1,950, and a notch lower at €1,910 was an April-2020-born Charolais-cross, weighing 645kgs.

• HEX – 640kgs – €1,500;
• AAX – 710kgs – €1,950;
• CHX – 590kgs – €1,460;
• 1 CHX – 650kgs – €1,760;
• CHX – 630kgs – €1,710;
• SHX – 490kgs – €1,240;
• SI – 580kgs – €1,560;
• LMX – 575kgs – €1,590;
• LMX – 415kgs – €1,240;
• BBX – 505kgs – €1,180
• BBX – 460kgs – €1,010;
• FR – 505kgs – €1,190;
• AAX – 500kgs – €1,350;
• LMX – 540kgs – €1,580;
• CHX – 320kgs – €910;
• SI – 530kgs – €1,360;
• CHX – 515kgs – €1,480;
• 1 CHX – 615kgs – €1,760;
• CHX – 630kgs – €1,710.

Cull cow prices:

Meanwhile, in the suckler ring, the best, a 780kg Charolais-cross, with its heifer calf at foot made €2,180.

Finally, Hannon reported that dry cows met with an “improved” trade with factory/feedlot buyers and Northern Irish customers active online and the ringside.

Entries changed hands for up to €2,290, a price that a buyer paid for an April-2018-born Charolais, at 785kgs.

• SIX – 745kgs – €1,950;
• BBX – 600kgs – €1,400;
• HEX – 675kgs – €1,540;
• LM – 610kgs – €1,550;
• AAX – 825kgs – €2,130;
• LMX – 700kgs – €1,540;
• AAX – 615kgs – €1,500;
• CH – 810kgs – €2,030;
• LMX – 585kgs – €1,150;
• CH – 705kgs – €1,780;
• LM – 725kgs – €2,170;
• BAX – 705kgs – €1,870;
• BAX – 600kgs – €1,710;
• HEX – 630kgs – €1,120;
• LMX – 735kgs – €1,890;
• LM – 610kgs – €1,550;
• FR – 540kgs – €1,230 (no calf registered);
• JEX – 510kgs – €870;
• AAX – 620kgs – €1,520;
• LMX – 700kgs – €1,540.

Further reading

That’s Farming previously profiled Stephen Hannon, general manager of Aurivo Marts and manager of Balla Mart – Read this article with Stephen Hannon.

Read a report from the previous week’s sale.

Mart reports

Read more mart reports (cattle and sheep prices) on That’s Farming.