Smaller sale but cattle prices up at Mayo mart

THERE was a smaller sale at Balla Mart on Saturday, with two rings in operation and all prices up on last week, particularly in the lighter store bullocks 300kg to 400kg which averaged €4.58/kg - up 64 cent/kg.

Bullocks 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.29/kg - up 17 cent/kg, while stock 500kg plus averaged €3.94/kg - up 10 cent/kg.

There were some lovely heifers, also up again on last week. Heifers 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.72/kg - up 26 cent/kg on last week, heifers 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.53/kg - up 24 cent/kg, while those 500kg plus averaged €4.12/kg - up 20 cent/kg.

A smashing Belgian Blue heifer weighing 565kg made €4,000 for a Charlestown farmer.

In the cows, a four-year-old Limousin dry cow, 890kg, made €3,600 for a Claremorris farmer, sold online to a northern buyer. And a March ‘20 SIX cow with its Charolais bull calf at foot made €3,420 for a Belmullet farmer.

Weanlings were well up on last week and averages in the bulls were: 200kg to 350kg €4.59/kg; 350kg to 450kg €4.94/kg; and 450kg plus €4.24/kg.

Sales continues next Saturday with booking on Wednesday on 0818 301 401.

BALLINROBE MART

At Ballinrobe Mart, heifers fetched prices from €840 to €1,660 per head or €2.37 to €4.68 per kg.

Heifers 400kg to 500kg averaged €3.26/kg or €1,435/head with a high of €3.90/kg; 300kg to 400kg heifers averaged €3.62/kg or €1,270/head with a high of €4.68/kg; and those under 300kg averaged €3.98/kg or €960/head, with top price €4.45/kg or €1,180/hd.

Bullocks achieved prices from €710 to €1,880 per head or €2.65 to €3.74 per kg. Bullocks 500kg plus bullocks averaged €3.46/kg or €1,830/head; 400kg to 500kg bullocks averaged €3.62/kg or €1,707/head; and those 300kg to 400kg bullocks averaged €2.28/kg or €825/head.

Dry cows ranged from €1,040 to €1,890 per head, with an average of €1,738/head or €2.80/kg.

In the sheep sale, spring lambs price per kg: €3.92 – €4.71. Average: €4.40/kg (+35c on last week). Price per head: €140 – €232. Average per head: €182.

Hoggets price per kg: €3.45 – €4.00. Average price: €3.85/kg (+17c on last week). Price per head: €142 – €208. Average per head: €192.

Culls (factory types) price per kg: €1.33 – €3.14. Average: €2.34/kg (+38c/kg). Price per head: €106 – €250. Average per head: €175.25 (+€38).

Ewes with lambs at foot prices: €150 – €345.