Excellent trade for all types of cattle at Markethill

The sale attracted a very large gathering of buyers. Top price was £1820 for a Lim heifer. A further 10 heifers sold from £1580 to £1700 each. The average for the entire sale was £1410.

An entry of 500 store cattle and weanlings at Markethill on Saturday 20th February sold in a steady trade. Buyers and sellers from throughout Northern Ireland were in attendance.

HEIFERS: The 170 store heifers sold readily with forward lots to £201 for 578k at £1160 for a Banbridge farmer followed by £199 for 504k at £1005 for a Belcoo farmer. Main demand from £180 to £194 per 100 kilos and up to£1140 for 630k (181). Good quality middleweights from £185 to 205 for 488k at £1000 for a Belcoo farmer. Suitable lightweights from £190 to £218 for 370k at £805 for an Armagh farmer. Second quality heifers sold from£160 to £175 per 100 kilos.

Forward heifers: Banbridge farmer 578k £1160 £211.00; Armagh farmer 544k £1085 £199.00; Belcoo farmer 504k £1005 £199.00; Banbridge farmer 568k £1100 £194.00; Banbridge farmer 514k £995 £194.00; Newry farmer 518k £990 £191.00; Banbridge farmer 524k £1000 £191.00; Crossmaglen farmer 524k £980 £187.00.

Middleweight heifers: Belcoo farmer 488k £1000 £205.00; Newry farmer 412k £840 £204.00; Kilkeel farmer 428k £865 £202.00; Newry farmer 444k £895 £202.00; Newry farmer 414k £830 £201.00; Belcoo farmer 474k £950 £200.00; Crossmaglen farmer 436k £870 £200.00; Armagh farmer 414k £815 £197.00; Dungannon farmer 500k £980 £196.00.

Lightweight heifers: Armagh farmer 370k £805 £218.00; Newry farmer 368k £795 £216.00; Kilkeel farmer 370k £790 £214.00; Aughnacloy farmer 376k £800 £213.00; Armagh farmer 376k £780 £207.00; Dromara farmer 398k £825 £207.00; Dromara farmer 370k £755 £204.00; Armagh farmer 378k £765 £202.00.

BULLOCKS: The 175 store bullocks continued to sell in a very firm trade. Good quality middleweights from £190 to £219 for 388k at £850 for a Belleeks farmer. Forward bullocks from £180 to £192 for 564 at £1080 for a Newtownhamilton farmer. Forward Friesian steers from £130 to £152 for 518k at £785. Middleweights from £135 to £157 for 450k at £705.

Forward bullocks: Newtownhamilton farmer 564k £1080 £192.00; Newry farmer 510k £970 £190.00; Keady farmer 512k £970 £189.00; Keady farmer 540k £1010 £187.00; Keady farmer 506k £940 £186.00; Crossmaglen farmer 544k £1010 £186.00; Poyntzpass farmer 528k £980 £186.00; Poyntzpass farmer 530k £980 £185.00; Newtownhamilton farmr 528k £975 £185.00; Poyntzpass farmer 594k £1090 £184.00.

Forward Friesian bullocks: Loughgilly farmer 518k £785 £152.00; Keady farmer 542k £780 £144.00; Keady farmer 550k £790 £144.00; Keady farmer 592k £840 £142.00; Keady farmer 530k £740 £139.00; Loughgilly farmer 612k £850 £139.00; Loughgilly farmer 502k £690 £137.00; Keady farmer 532k £720 £135.00.

Middleweight bullocks: Belleek farmer 388k £850 £219.00; Belleek farmer 400k £865 £216.00; Keady farmer 382k £815 £213.00; Armagh farmer 366k £770 £210.00; Armagh farmer 390k £820 £210.00; Markethill farmer 360k £750 £208.00; Markethill farmer 422k £870 £206.00; Armagh farmer 432k £890 £206.00; Armagh farmer 394k £815 £207.00; Tandragee farmer 384k £785 £204.00.

Middleweight Friesian bullocks: Newry farmer 450k £705 £157.00; Keady farmer 482k £710 £147.00; Keady farmer 488k £690 £141.00; Loughgilly farmer 496k £680 £137.00.

WEANLINGS: The 130 weanlings continued to sell in an exceptionally strong demand. Light heifers to £285 for 272k at £775 from a Portadown farmer. Main demand from £210 to £252 per 100 kilos. Stronger heifers to £242 for 370k at £895. Lightweight male weanlings from £220 to £274 for 250k at £685. Stronger lots from £230 to £261 for 318k at £830.

Middleweight male weanlings: Portadown farmer 370k £895 £242.00; Dromore farmer 330k £755 £229.00; Kilkeel farmer 346k £770 £223.00; Newtownhamilton farmer 352k £750 £213.00; Armagh farmer 302k £630 £209.00.

Lightweight male weanlings: Portadown farmer 272k £775 £285.00; Portadown farmer 296k £745 £252.00; Portadown farmer 278k £695 £250.00; Keady farmer 256k £625 £244.00; Keady farmer 256k £620 £242.00; Portadown farmer 254k £600 £236.00.

Middleweight heifer weanlings: Newry farmer 318k £830 £261.00; Armagh farmer 322k £820 £255.00; Poyntzpass farmer 358k £900 £251.00; Keady farmer 320k £790 £247.00; Newtownhamilton farmer 320k £775 £242.00; Armagh farmer 320k £770 £241.00; Lisnadill farmer 372k £890 £239.00; Armagh farmer 356k £845 £237.00.

Lightweight heifer weanlings: Keady farmer 250k £685 £274.00; Keady farmer 254k £680 £268.00; Armagh farmer 280k £730 £261.00; Keady farmer 256k £650 £254.00; Keady farmer 258k £645 £250.00; Keady farmer 264k £655 £248.00; Belleek farmer 256k £630 £246.00; Keady farmer 278k £680 £245.00.

In the suckler ring an entry of in-calf heifers from a Hillsborough farmer sold to £1480 with several more from £1080 to £1440.