Averages for store bullocks up at Mayo mart

SATURDAY saw a bigger sale than normal at Balla Mart, with 250 more cattle sold than this time last year. Averages were up for store bullocks while heavier bullocks 500kg plus remained much the same as last week.

Bullocks 300kg to 400kg averaged €5.21/kg - up 10 cent/kg on last week, with the best making over €6/kg. Stores 400kg to 500kg averaged €5.17/kg - up 11 cent/kg on last week, while heavier bullocks 500kg plus averaged €4.77/kg - up by 4 cent/kg.

A farmer from Brickens had a smashing Belgian Blue April '24 bullock weighing 485kg that sold for €3,000 (€6.19/kg).

A Castlebar farmer saw a March ‘23 bullock weighing 810kg make €3,640.

Top prices in the bullocks included:

280kg LMX €1,560

360kg LMX €2,400

485kg BBX €3,000

580kg CHX €3,340

795kg CHX €3,400

810kg AAX €3,640

In the heifers, lighter stores 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.84/kg - up 12 cent/kg on last week. Heifers 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.89/kg - just up by 2 cent/kg. And those 500kg plus averaged €4.74/kg.

A smashing 575kg BBX heifer sold for €3,880 (€6.75/kg) while a 490kg Limousin made €3,140 (€6.41/kg).

Top prices in the heifers included:

230kg LMX €1,375

350kg LMX €2,180

490kg LM €3,140

575kg BBX €3,880

Dry cows 500kg plus averaged €3.66/kg. There were 130 dry cows and the tops was a five-year-old cow weighing 870kg that made €3,580 (€4.11/kg) for a farmer from Aclare in Co. Sligo.

There was a special sale of 28 in-calf heifers by a Milltown farmer who presented some lovely heifers. Best was a BBX that sold for €5,900 (€8.25/kg).

Booking for next Saturday's end of month Continental sale goes ahead on Wednesday, and on Thursday there's booking for the Tuesday weanling sale next week, October 28. Booking is on 0818 301 401.