On Wednesday, Elphin Mart held its annual special September bullock sale, renowned for its standard of quality.
This year was no different, with 500 bullocks on offer, with nearly all of them continental-bred.
It was a sight to behold seeing a yard full of heavy continental cattle.
Marty Brady started the day's selling off strongly, with the first bullock into the ring selling for €2,750 (€4.96/kg).
After nearly eight hours selling between Marty and Cian Connolly, the sale saw a clearance rate of 95% across the yard of cattle.
The trade varied depending on quality, with bullocks weighing between 550kg and 600kg highly sought after and over €5/kg paid on several occasions.
Continental dominance
Just over 60% of the bullocks on offer were Charolais-cross, with a further 23% being Limousin-cross, showing the dominance the continental breeds had on the day.
A small number of Angus-cross bullocks were on offer as well and they sold very well, with over €4/kg paid for most.
“We had a super yard of cattle on offer, buyers travelled from all across Ireland to try get their hands on stock," said mart manager Ciaran Lynch.
"The store bullocks weighing around 600kg sold exceptionally well for the top lots, with over €5/kg to be got.
"The heavier cattle have seen an injection of positivity, with buyers paying over €4.50/kg for some of those bullock weighing over 800kg.
"The plainer lads saw an improved trade. There was plenty of bullocks weighing around the 750kg mark that will take more feeding selling around the €4/kg price,” he added.
“We had bullocks sell across €4,000, but they were an exceptional pen weighing 900kg.
"Overall, there was 87 bullocks sold over the €3,000 mark, which was a super day's selling. There was 105 bullocks bought by northern customers,” added Ciaran.
Analysis
With 40 bullocks weighing over 800kg and a further 120 weighing between 700kg and 800kg, these heavy cattle made up over half the 309 bullocks weighing over 600kg sold on the day.
Martbids analysis shows of the 309 bullocks, the top third of these sold for an average of €4.44/kg, while they averaged €4.10/kg across the 309 bullocks.
Lighter store bullocks varied depending on quality. An average of €5/kg was paid for the top third of bullocks weighing between 500kg and 600kg, while the bottom third averaged €4.29/kg.
As the bullocks got lighter, the price per kilo paid started to increase. Bullocks weighing between 400kg and 500kg, while not as plentiful as the heavier lads, sold for an astonishing average of €5.14/kg for the top third, while they averaged €4.75/kg overall. The bottom third sold for a very impressive average of €4.36/kg.
These four Charolais-cross bullocks weighing 892kg and born April 2024 they sold for €4,040 (€4.53/kg).
This Charolais-cross bullock weighing 830kg and born 22/03/24 sold for €3,760 (€4.53/kg).
This Limousin-cross bullock weighing 810kg and born 05/08/24 sold for €3,620 (€4.47/kg).
This Limousin-cross bullock weighing 560kg and born 02/05/25 sold for €2,780 (€4.96/kg).
This Charolais-cross bullock weighing 545kg and born 02/05/25 sold for €2,750 (€5.05/kg).
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