Quality breeding heifers a great trade at Mayo sale

IT has been a big week at Balla Mart, with over 1,700 cattle sold.

On Saturday, some bullocks were a better trade, in particular strong Continental bullocks weighing 600kg plus, which were in great demand from feedlot and northern factory buyers.

Bullocks 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.06/kg, those 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.31/kg, with bullocks 500kg plus averaging €4.02/kg.

Top prices in the bullocks included:

395kg LMX €2,060 (€5.22/kg)

475kg €2,400 (€5.05/kg)

670kg LMX €2,870 (€4.28/kg)

745kg CHX €3,020 (€4.05/kg)

760kg CHX €3,080 (€4.05/kg)

There were a lot of great breeding type heifers this week and some met with a great trade, with 10 cattle making over €5,000 and 34 heifers selling for over €4,000. This obviously affected the averages - up 91 cent/kg on last week.

A farmer from Roscommon had one cracking Limousin heifer weighing 735kg that was sold for €8,300 (€11.29/kg) and another farmer from Loughlynn in Roscommon saw a 605kg Belgian Blue heifer making €7,600 (€12.56/kg).

Average prices in the heifers were: 300kg to 400kg €3.94/kg; 400kg to 500kg €4.19/kg; 500kg plus €4.83/kg - up by 91cent/kg on last week.

Top prices in the heifers include the following:

290kg LMX €1,000 (€3.45/kg)

390kg LMX €2,020 (€5.18/kg)

490kg BBX €3,650 (€7.45/kg)

580kg LMX €4,950 (€8.53/kg)

605kg BBX €7,600 (€12.56/kg)

735kg LMX €8,300 (€11.29/kg)

This week there were 175 cows for ring three and trade was much the same as last week, with dry cows 500kg plus veraging €3.34/kg.

A June 2013 born Belgian Blue cow due on the 24th and weighing 900kg made €3,140 for a farmer from Swinford. And a farmer from Claremorris saw a '21 Charolais cow with a heifer calf at foot making €5,400.

Booking for next Saturday's sale is on Wednesday on low call 0818 301 401.