Exceptionally strong trade for cattle at Markethill

Trade in all rings was exceptionally strong with forward cattle and beef cattle seeing a further increase in price. Weanling trade was exceptionally strong particularly the better quality calves.

HEIFERS

160 heifers included several pens of top quality beef heifers which sold to a top of £283 per 100 kilos for 630k at £1785 from a Portadown farmer and for 648k at £1835 from the same owner. A Camlough producer received £263 for 668k at £1755. All good quality beef heifers from £230 to £260 per 100 kilos. Forward feeding heifers sold to £272 for 610k at £1665 from a Camlough farmer followed by £264 for 620k at £1645 from a Keady producer. All good quality feeders sold from £220 to £255 per 100 kilos. Good quality middleweight heifers sold steadily from £220 to £256 for 388k at £995 from a Rostrevor farmer. The same owner received £250 per 100 kilos for 380k at £955. Top price for middleweight heifers £1215 for 480k at £249 from a Whitecross producer.

Forward heifers: Camlough farmer 612k £1665 £272.00; Keady farmer 624k £1645 £264.00; Markethill farmer 614k £1565 £255.00; Loughgall farmer 594k £1505 £253.00; Cullyhanna farmer 556k £1395 £251.00; Warrenpoint farmer 530k £1325 £250.00; Belleek farmer 56k £1315 £250.00; Dungannon farmer 620k £1545 £249.00.

Beef heifers: Portadown farmer 630k £1785 £283.00; Portadown farmer 648k £1835 £283.00; Camlough farner 668k £1755 £263.00; Dungannon farmer 650k £1695 £261.00; Markethill farmer 656k £1675 £255.00; Markethill farmer 676k £1725 £255.00; Camlough farmer 704k £1775 £252.00; Camlough farmer 678k £1685 £249.00.

Middleweight heifers: Rostrevor farmer 388k £995 £256.00; Rostrevor farmer 382k £955 £250.00; Whitecross farmer 488k £1215 £249.00; Keady farmer 450k £1115 £248.00; Cullyhanna farmer 480k £1185 £247.00; Moy farmer 494k £1215 £246.00; Moy farmer 458k £1125 £246.00; Moy farmer 436k £1065 £244.00.

BULLOCKS

140 bullocks included several pens of beef bullocks which sold to a top of £257 for 670k at £1735 from a Kilcoo farmer followed by £242 for 730k at £1785 from a Whitecross producer. A Portadown producer received £242 for 730k at £1775. Top price of £1905 was paid for 790k at £241 from a Moira farmer. Good quality forward feeding bullocks sold steadily from £230 to £284 for 580k at £1655 from a Dromore producer. The same owner received £276 per 100 kilos for 590k at £1635. This Dromore producer sold a total of 12 bullocks to average 567k at £1489 per head £262.50 per 100 kilos. Good quality middleweight bullocks sold steadily from £230 to £282 for 430k at £1225 from a Benburb farmer followed by £280 for 488k at £1365 from a Warrenpoint producer. Friesian bullocks sold to a top of £212 for 740k at £1565 from a Whitecross farmer followed by £197 for 540k at £1065 from a Newtownhamilton producer. Main demand for friesians from £180 to £195 per 100 kilos.

Forward bullocks: Dromore farmer 582k £1655 £284.00; Dromore farmer 592k £1635 £276.00; Dromore farmer 552k £1505 £273.00; Dromore farmer 550k £1495 £272.00; Newtownhamilton farmer 570k £1545 £271.00; Dromore farmer 518k £1395 £269.00; Dromore farmer 612k £1625 £266.00; Dromore farmer 564k £1495 £265.00; Portadown farmer 566k £1475 £261.00.

Beef bullocks: Kilcoo farmer 676k £1735 £257.00; Whitecross farmer 738k £1785 £242.00; Portadown farmer 734k £1775 £242.00; Magheralin farmer 790k £1905 £241.00; Portadown farmer 690k £1645 £239.00; Whitecross farmer 732k £1745 £238.00; Dromore farmer 696k £1655 £238.00.

Middleweight bullocks: Benburb farmer 434k £1225 £282.00; Warrenpoint farmer 488k £1365 £280.00; Warrenpoint farmer 500k £1375 £275.00; Benburb farmer 482k £1305 £271.00; Benburb farmer 494k £1285 £260.00; Killylea farmer 472k £1225 £260.00; Warrenpoint farmer 500k £1255 £251.00; Armagh farmer 486k £1195 £246.00.

Friesian bullocks: Whitecross farmer 740k £1565 £212.00; Newtownhamilton farmer 542k £1065 £197.00; Newtownhamilton farmer 628k £1225 £195.00; Tandragee farmer 604k £1145 £190.00; Newtownhamilton farmer 576k £1075 £187.00; Newtownhamilton farmer 620k £1155 £187.00; Newtownhamilton farmer 588k £1075 £183.00.

WEANLINGS

The 340 weanlings sold in an exceptional strong trade particularly the better quality weanlings which saw prices rise significantly. Good quality light male weanlings sold to a top of £335 for 266k at £890 from a Rathfriland farmer followed by £316 for 272k at £860 from a Belfast producer. Top price of light males was £1110 for 380k at £292 from a Tassagh farmer. All good quality light weanlings sold from £250 to £295 per 100 kilos. Stronger male weanlings sold to £288 for 406k at £1170 from a Warrenpoint farmer followed by £277 for 426k at £1180 from a Portadown producer. All good quality strong males sold from £230 to £270 per 100 kilos. Good quality heifer weanlings sold steadily from £230 to £277 for 350k at £970 from an Armagh farmer followed by £275 for 316k at £870 from a Rathfriland farmer. Top price of £1060 for 396k at £268 from a Warrenpoint producer.

Strong male weanlings: Warrenpoint farmer 406k £1170 £288.00; Portadown farmer 426k £1180 £277.00; Hilltown farmer 446k £1200 £269.00; Belfast farmer 464k £1230 £265.00; Warrenpoint farmer 438k £1160 £265.00; Ballyward farmer 448k £1170 £261.00; Armagh farmer 418k £1070 £256.00; Ballyward farmer 424k £1080 £255.00.

Light male weanlings: Rathfriland farmer 266k £890 £335.00; Belfast farmer 272k £860 £316.00; Rathfriland farmer 252k £780 £310.00; Forkhill farmer 314k £970 £309.00; Dundrod farmer 304k £920 £303.00; Tassagh farmer 380k £1110 £292.00; Rathfriland farmer 292k £890 £305.00; Rathfriland farmer 314k £900 £287.00; Forkhill farmer 352k £1000 £284.00.

Heifer weanlings: Armagh farmer 350k £970 £277.00; Rathfriland farmer 316k £870 £275.00; Warrenpoint farmer 396k £1060 £268.00; Lisnaskea farmer 316k £840 £266.00; Lisnaskea farmer 316k £840 £266.00; Warrenpoint farmer 370k £980 £265.00; Rathfriland farmer 366k £960 £262.00; Portadown farmer 350k £910 £260.00; Portadown farmer 364k £940 £258.00.

Another large entry of cows and calves sold in a firm demand with a top price of £1940 for a Lim 2nd calver and bull calf from a Katesbridge farmer. The same owner sold 3 other outfits £1920, £1880 and £1550 each. A Rathfriland producer sold 2 outfits at £1690 and £1600 each. A Lisburn farmer received £1530 for a Saler cow and a heifer calf. Several more outfits sold from £1100 to £1480 each.