Increase in prices for cattle at Markethill

Buyers from throughout N.I. export agents were present.

HEIFERS

The 190 heifers sold in an exceptionally strong demand. Forward heifers (those over 500k) sold to £215 for 540k at £1160. All top quality lots from £190 to £212 per 100 kilos. Top price £1240 for 650k (190). In all 50 heifers sold in excess of £1000 and the entire entry of 90 forward heifers averaged £1020 each. Good quality middleweight heifers sold from £190 to £234 for 424k at £990. Second quality heifers in excellent demand from £170 to £180 per 100 kilos.

Forward heifers: Tassagh farmer 540k £1160 £215.00; Armagh farmer 534k £1130 £212.00; Loughgall farmer 516k £1080 £209.00; Dromara farmer 530k £1105 £209.00; Belleeks farmer 592k £1225 £207.00; Belleeks farmer 594k £1225 £206.00; Armagh farmer 516k £1055 £204.00; Armagh farmer 574k £1170 £204.00; Poyntzpass farmer 576k £1170 £203.00.

Middleweight heifers: Newry farmer 424k £990 £234.00; Newry farmer 386k £855 £222.00; Dungannon farmer 382k £820 £215.00; Dungannon farmer 348k £740 £213.00; Newry farmer 382k £800 £209.00; Dungannon farmer 360k £750 £208.00; Dungannon farmer 412k £850 £206.00; Annaghmore farmer 500k £1020 £204.00.

BULLOCKS

The 230 bullocks included several pens of top quality forward bullocks which sold in a very strong demand to £1280 for 648k from a Hillsborough farmer (198). All quality lots from £190 to £204 for 574k at £1170. Middleweight bullocks sold steadily from £185 to £206 for 468k at £965. Friesian bullocks to £166 for 506k at £840 and up to £945 for 670k. All good friesians from £140 to £159 per 100 kilos.

Forward bullocks: Markethill farmer 574k £1170 £204.00; Newry farmer 540k £1100 £204.00; Newtownhamilton farmer 542k £1090 £201.00; Portadown farmer 586k £1175 £201.00; Markethill farmer 574k £1150 £200.00; Newtownhamilton farmer 562k £1125 £200.00; Cullyhanna farmer 538k £1075 £200.00; Cullyhanna farmer 544k £1085 £199.00; Cullyhanna farmer 560k £1115 £199.00.

Friesian bullocks: Newtownhamilton farmr 506k £840 £166.00; Newtownhamilton farmer 526k £835 £159.00; Newry farmer 520k £785 £151.00; Newtownhamilton farmer 512k £750 £146.00; Tandragee farmer 642k £920 £143.00; Loughbrickland 510k £720 £141.00; Loughbrickland farmer 568k £800 £141.00; Tandragee farmer 634k £890 £140.00.

Middleweight bullocks: Cullyhanna farmer 468k £965 £206.00; Armagh farmer 484k £990 £205.00; Portadown farmer 430k £875 £203.00; Newry farmer 492k £1000 £203.00; Keady farmer 412k £830 £202.00; Rathfriland farmer 448k £900 £201.00; Armagh farmer 492k £965 £196.00; Culyhanna farmer 500k £980 £196.00; Portadown farmer 450k £880 £195.00.

WEANLINGS

The 160 weanlings sold in another strong trade. Good quality males sold from £200 to £239 for 352k at £840. Heifer weanlings sold to £235 for 330k at £775. All good quality heifers from £190 to £219 per 100 kilos.

Male weanlings

Newry farmer 352k £840 £239.00; Keady farmer 350k £785 £224.00; Portadown farmer 370k £825 £223.00; Armagh farmer 310k £690 £223.00; Portadown farmer 344k £750 £218.00; Newry farmer 366k £790 £216.00; Newry farmer 396k £845 £213.00; Aughnacloy farmer 332k £695 £209.00.

Heifer weanlings: Armagh farmer 330k £775 £235.00; Cullyhanna farmer 288k £630 £219.00; Keady farmer 222k £465 £209.00; Crossmaglen farmer 290k £605 £209.00; Ballynahinch farmer 260k £540 £207.00; Newtownhamilton farmer 308k £670 £218.00; Portadown farmer 338k £695 £206.00; Keady farmer 206k £420 £204.00.

The 60 lots of sucklers sold in a firm demand to a top of £1340 for a Hereford cow and bull calf. A further 18 turnouts sold from £1000 to £1320 each.