Mayo marts see continued brisk trade

THERE were over 500 lots on offer again this week at Balla Mart, but they were a lot lesser cattle, which always happens moving into the summer break. But trade remains brisk, the mart has reported.

Bullocks 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.21/kg, store bullocks 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.24/kg, while heavier bullocks 500kg plus averaged 4.32/kg.

An AAX bullock weighing 790kg made €3,250 for a farmer from Westport, while another farmer from the Westport area saw said a 675kg Charolais bullock making €3,050.

Prices in the heifers remained strong, with the averages on par with last week due to the presence of some smashing Belgian Blue breeding heifers and in fact those 500kg plus heifers were slightly up. Lighter store heifers 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.52/kg, heifers 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.37/kg, while those 500kg plus averaged €4.42/kg.

Two BBX heifers made €7.75/kg and €7.53/kg for a Knockmore farmer. Another 785kg BBX was sold for €4,950 (€6.31/kg) by a farmer from Tuam. And another Belgian Blue heifer weighing 525kg made €8.38/kg for a Ballycroy farmer.

Cows were a good trade, with just over 140 on offer. Best was a four-year-old Limousin weighing 795kg that made €3,720 for a Castlebar farmer.

In the springers, a three-year-old Limousin with its heifer calf at foot made a price of €4,000, sold by a Mayo Abbey farmer.

Weanlings are now being sold on Saturdays, with the Tuesday evening sales having ended. Bull weanlings 200kg to 350kg averaged €4.66/kg, those 350kg to 450kg averaged €4.54/kg, and bulls 450kg plus averaged €3.77/kg.

Bull prices included: 335kg LMX €1,750, 370kg BBX €2,080, and 400hg LMX €2,200.

Booking on May 21 and 22 for next Saturday's sale on lowcall 0818 301 401.

BALLINROBE MART

At last Wednesday's mart in Ballinrobe, bullocks peaked at €5.35/kg, heifers hit €6.07/kg, cows topped at €4.18/kg, and weanling bulls hit €4.72/kg.

Bullocks fetched prices from €750 to €2,800 per head, or €2.77 to €5.35 per kg. Those 500kg plus bullocks averaged €4.23/kg or €2,514/head, stock 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.14/kg or €2,420/head, and bullocks 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.91/kg or €1,700/head.

Top bullock prices included: LMX 655kg €2,800, SAX 535kg €2,500, LMX 5482kg €2,420, CHX 480kg €2,300, LMX 375kg €1,910, CHX 360kg €1,900.

Heifers achieved prices from €600 to €1,980 per head or €2.55 to €6.07 per kg. Heifers 500kg plus heifers averaged €3.77/kg or €1,930/head, 400kg to 500kg heifers averaged €3.69/kg or €1,622/head, and 300kg to 400kg heifers averaged €3.94/kg or €1,330/head.

Top heifer prices: CHX 505kg €1,980, LMX 425kg €1,800, CHX 430kg €1,780, CHX 355kg €1,700, AAX 315kg €1,480, LMX 275kg €1,420, LMX 145kg €880.

Dry cows ranged from €850 to €3,030 per head, with an average of €2,300/head or €3.53/kg.

Weanling bulls achieved prices from €950 to €1,700 per head or €3.03 to €4.72 per kg.

At Thursday's sheep sale, spring lambs saw prices ranging from €155 to €195 - average €180 or €3.60 to €3.85/kg or average €3.76/kg.

Prices included: 54kg €195, €3.61/kg; 48kg €185, €3.85/kg; 49.5kg €190, €3.84/kg.

Hoggets ranged from €62 to €211 or €2.14 to €4.00/kg, averaging €3.40/kg.

Cull ewe prices ranged from €52 to €282, averaging €175/head, and price per kg ranging from €1.29 to €2.99, with an average of €2.33/kg.

Ewes with lambs at foot sold from €115 to €290 for two-year-old ewes with twin lambs at foot. The average for ewes with lambs was €165.

Upcoming sales include a Continental heifer sale and end of month Continental bullock sales. For bookings, call (094) 9541140.