Mayo mart reports great trade at weekend sale
SATURDAY'S sale at Balla Mart saw bullocks well up due to the number of additional farmers buying around the ring. There were a lot of strong Continental bullocks 500kg plus and they met with a fine trade. A lot of the bullocks were factory cattle weighing over 600kg.
One strong Charolais bullock sold by a local farmer weighed in at 755kg and made €2,940 for further feeding by a northern buyer.
Heifers were also probably the best trade in three weeks' and while no bullocks made over €3,000 there were a few heifers that did.
Averages in the bullocks were: 300kg to 400kg €4.42/kg - up 20 cent/kg on last week; 400kg to 500kg €4.43/kg - up 24 cent/kg; 500kg plus €3.95/kg - up slightly as well.
Top prices in the bullocks included the following:
365kg CHX €1,900 (€5.21/kg)
435kg CHX €2,380 (€5.47/kg)
505kg CHX €2,760 (€5.47/kg)
680kg CHX €2,860 (€4.21/kg)
755kg CHX €2,940 (€3.89/kg)
There were better heifers out this week. One strong Limousin born June ’24 and weighing 625kg was bought for €3,300 (€5.28/kg).
Averages in the heifers were: 300kg to 400kg €3.76/kg; 400kg to 500kg €4.06/kg; 500kg plus €3.94/kg.
Top prices in the heifers included:
290kg BBX €1,640 (€5.66/kg)
380kg LMX €2,220 (€5.84/kg)
455kg BBX €2,730 (€6.00/kg)
645kg LMX €3,040 (€4.71/kg)
625kg LMX €3,300 (€5.28/kg)
There were 120 cows for ring three and they were better than last week.
The mart has noted how the 30 day TB test rule change by the department on April 13 seems to be catching a lot of farmers out where cows over three years that are not in a six-month herd test need to be tested and brought for sale within 30 days, otherwise they are classed as CFU by the system that’s if they go over the 30 days. (Some farmers think they have three months).
Dry cows 500kg plus were making €3.35/kg - up 8 cent/kg on last year. Five of these dry cows made in excess of €3,000 and one big 940kg PB Charolais dry cow was sold for €3,500 by a farmer from Castlerea.
An October ‘22 born BBX cow with a heifer calf at foot made €4,450 for a farmer from Ballinlough.
Booking for next Saturday's sale is on Wednesday on low call 0818 301 401.