Manulla farmer takes both champion prizes at Balla weanling show
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First prize, Charolais bull category, presented to Ann Frazer, Louisburgh, by Anthony Murphy, Aurivo, on behalf of Dovea Genetics.Image 2 of 6
Belgian Blue bull winner Pat Gallagher, Enniscrone, presented with his prize by Thomas Gilligan on behalf of the Irish Belgian Blue Society.Image 3 of 6
Champion heifer presented to Tom Walsh, Manulla, by Padraig McHale, Nutrias Animal Feeds.Image 4 of 6
Around the ring at the Balla weanling sale and show.Image 5 of 6
Champion heifer, owned by Tom Walsh, Manulla.Image 6 of 6
Champion bull, owned by Tom Walsh, Manulla.A VERY successful sale took place at Balla Mart this week for the first spring Tuesday evening weanling show and sale.
There was double success for Manulla farmer Tom Walsh, winning both the champion bull and heifer classes sponsored by Nutrias Animal Feeds.
After a shocking wet morning, with no let up, it was great to see calves getting such a good selling. There was a lot of online activity, with farmers and shippers pushing up prices.
Bulls were a sharper trade with exporters anxious for cattle and giving great prices.
Bulls 250kg to 350kg averaged €3.56/kg while bulls 350kg to 450kg averaged €3.48/kg, and stock 450kg plus averaged €3.53/kg.
Quality bulls made between €3.70 to €4.70/kg, or up to €1,960 with their weight.
One BBX bull born February ‘23, weighing 620kg, made €2,580 (€4.16/kg) while another BBX - the champion bull - born April ’23 and weighing 540kg made €2,440 (€4.52/kg), both from Manulla farmer Tom Walsh and both going for export.
Heifers were a good trade as well, especially fancy breeding types, and anything nice got a good price, but less commercial types around this sale.
Lighter store heifers 200kg to 350kg averaged €3.46/kg, heifers 350kg to 450kg €3.69/kg, and heifers 450kg plus averaged €3.46/kg.
A smashing BBX breeding heifer with good colour/shape, weighing 410kg, sold for €2,720 (€6.63/kg) and another from the same Williamstown farmer, 405kg, made €2,410 (€5.95/kg), both born March ‘23.
The champion heifer - Lot 915, a BBX weighed 365kg - made €2,400, sold by Tom Walsh, Manulla, Castlebar.
Class1: Best Charolais Bull Calf: 1st, Lot 171, Ann Frazer, Louisburgh; 2nd, Lot 253, Nora Moran, Logaphuill, Castlebar (sponsored by Dovea Genetics).
Class 2: Best Charolais Heifer Calf: 1st, Lot 828, Pat Chambers, Newport; 2nd, Lot 1097, Pat Kennedy, Rahard, Ballinrobe (sponsored by Dovea Genetics).
Class 3: Best Limousin Bull Calf: 1st, Lot 3, John Keane, Skirdagh, Newport; 2nd, Lot 271, Dermott and Grace Mullaney, Creggs, Balla (sponsored by the Irish Limousin Society).
Class 5: Best Belgian Blue Bull Calf: 1st, Lot 166, Tom Walsh, Manulla; 2nd, Lot 184, Pat Gallagher, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo (sponsored by the Irish Belgian Blue Society).
Class 6: Best Belgian Blue Heifer Calf: 1st, Lot 915, Tom Walsh, Manulla; 2nd, Lot 1017, Laurence Forde, Corrondulla, Co. Galway (sponsored byHomeland, Castlebar).
Champion Bull and Heifer (sponsored by Nutrias Animal Feeds): Tom Walsh, Drumasloyne, Manulla, for both bull Lot 166 and heifer Lot 915.