Cattle buyer caution evident at Tuam mart sale

Tuam Co-operative Livestock Mart held its weekly general cattle sale on bank holiday Monday, June 1, with 175 cattle on offer. Assistant manager Saoirse Loftus noted that the number of cattle was up on the previous week, as expected due to the bank holiday. She observed relatively low demand from export buyers, but this did not significantly impact the clearance rate, which remained good at approximately 95%. Bullocks weighing 300-400kgs averaged €4.77/kg, 400-500kgs averaged €3.77/kg, and those over 500kgs averaged €3.61/kg. Heifers in the 300-400kg range averaged €4.15/kg, 400-500kgs averaged €3.80/kg, and those over 500kgs averaged €3.54/kg. Cow prices varied, with an 810kg Limousin cross making €2,700 (€3.33/kg). Loftus stated that trade was good but numbers are down significantly on this time last year. This decline aligns with a national trend of falling cattle prices across heifers, steers, cows, and young bulls. Factory price quotes for bullocks have decreased by 80cent/kg since early January, costing farmers €360 for a 400kg carcase weight bullock.