Mullaneys have champion at Balla weanling show and sale
THE Balla Mart weanling show and sale saw very lively trade yesterday, with one of the finest yards of cattle. There were some super bulls on offer and farmers definitely got the price for them from the many buyers from all over the country.
Champion of the show was won by Dermott and Grace Mullaney, Balla, with a Charolais bull calf.
There was a fine turnout of bulls with over 500 calves showing and they averaged €138 dearer than last year.
These strong weanlings got excellent buying from exporters shipping whose prices averaged around €4.60/kg due to tremendous competition around the ring and online.
Bulls 200kg to 350kg averaged €3.50/kg while bulls 350kg to 450kg averaged €3.59/kg. Heavier bulls 450kg plus averaged €3.51p/kg.
All the top calves made over €4.50/kg. A BBX bull born January ‘24 and weighing 370kg was sold for €2,310 (€6.24/kg) by an Enniscrone farmer. Another BBX bull born January ’24 and weighing 460kg made €2,190 (€4.76/kg), bought for export from a Partry farmer.
Fancy breeding heifers and anything nice got a great price. There was a mix, however, with a scattering of average heifers on offer.
All averages were still over €3.30/kg, however. Lighter store heifers 200kg to 350kg averaged €3.41/kg, heifers 350kg to 450kg averaged €3.62/kg, and heifers 450kg plus averaged €2.87/kg.
A smashing Belgian Blue heifer born April ’24, weighing 220kg, made €2,480 (a record €11.27/kg) for a farmer from Westport.
Another BBX - a winner in class - weighing 425kg made €2,800 (€6.59/kg) for a Partry farmer.
Winners of the classes were as follows.
Champion of the show: Dermott and Grace Mullaney with lot 79, best Charolais bull calf.
Class 1, Best Charolais Bull calf, sponsored by Edward Kelly Plant Hire: 1st, Lot 79, Dermott and Grace Mullaney, Creggs, Balla; 2nd, Lot 164, Val Quinn, Ballyglass, Claremorris.
Class 2, Best Charolais Heifer Calf, sponsored by T.J Heneghan (MRCVS): 1st, Lot 815, Michael Burke, Eden, Knock; 2nd, Lot 877, Michael Boyle, Tulrahan, Claremorris.
Class 3, Best Limousin Bull Calf, sponsored by Michael Maloney & Assoc.: 1st, Lot 177, Henry Barrett, Belmullet; 2nd, Lot 222, Sean McGreal, Lodge Road, Westport.
Class 4, Best Limousin Heifer Calf, sponsored by Mayo Abbey Co-op: 1st, Lot 875, Michael Hoban, Logaphuill, Castlebar; 2nd, Lot 858, Henry Barrett, Belmullet.
Class 5, Best Belgian Blue Bull Calf, sponsored by McEllin;s of Manulla: 1st, Lot 623, Colin Staunton, Partry; 2nd, Lot 178, Henry Barrett, Belmullet.
Class 6, Best Belgian Blue Heifer Calf, sponsored by Harrington Concrete, Kilkelly: 1st, Lot 1021, Colin Staunton, Partry; 2nd, Lot 1023, Colin Staunton, Partry.