Great yard of bullocks at Mayo mart

THERE was a great yard of bullocks at Balla Mart on Saturday, particularly some heavy beef cattle which were bought by a northern factory buyer.

Bullocks 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.23/kg, stores 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.29/kg, while heavier bullocks 500kg plus averaged €4.19/kg.

A CHX bullock weighing 925kg made €3,930 for a farmer from Tuam. Other prices in the bullocks included: 360kg CHX €1,940, 490kg CHX €2,580, 670kg CHX €3,290, 795kg SIX €3,300, 895kg CHX €3,730, 925kg CHX €3,930.

Prices in the heifers were showing the knock-on effect of the factory cuts, with averages below €4/kg. Lighter store heifers 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.26/kg, heifers 400kg to 500kg averaged €3.92/kg, and those 500kg plus averaged €3.86/kg.

A farmer from Castlebar had a 330kg BBX breeding heifer that made €4,150 (€12.58/kg). Other prices included: 285kg CHX €1,440, 330kg BBX €4,150, 435kg LMX €2,240, 525kg LMX €2,420, 675kg LMX €2,920.

Cows were a good trade, with a surprising amount of dry cows still coming out and those 500kg plus averaging €3.59/kg. Best this week an eight-year-old Charolais cow with its bull calf at foot, making €3,720 for a Westport farmer.

There are a great numbers of weanlings coming out - way more than normal for this time of year - and this week they were slightly up due demand from export buyers.

The best price was got by a seller from Ballina who was happy when his 485kg March ’24 born Belgian Blue made €3,600 (€7.52/kg). Another farmer from Ballyhaunis also did well with a BBX bull that made €9.13/kg - a March ’24 born BB weighing 335kg that made €3,060.

Bull weanlings 200kg to 350kg averaged €5.59/kg, bulls 350kg to 450kg averaged €5.08/kg, and stock 450kg averaged €5.10/kg.

Booking is on Wednesday and Thursday for next Saturday's sale on lowcall 0818 301 401.