Export buyers push on weanling prices at Mayo mart

YESTERDAY'S (Tuesday) weanling sale at Balla Mart saw a good trade for anything nice, though there was a lot of lesser/lighter slips down in the weights.

Other than a few calves it was nearly a full clearance and trade in the quality bulls was very lively, with prices dearer than last week, pushed on by the export buyers around the ring.

Bulls 200kg to 350kg averaged €3.51/kg, with the tops making over €4.50/kg - all bought by farmers.

Bull weanlings 350kg to 400kg averaged €3.46/kg and they got excellent buying from exporters and shippers who were giving from €3.50/kg to over €4.63/kg for quality, shapely lots rather than looking at the weight.

Heavier bulls 450kg plus averaged €3.27/kg.

A BBX bull born February ‘24 and weighing 420kg made €1,810 (€4.31/kg) for a farmer from Belmullet. While another BBX bull weighing 405kg made €1,740 (€4.30/kg), sold by a farmer from Brickens.

There was a fine yard of heifers on offer, suitable for farmers who were really anxious for stock. All averages were well over €3/kg.

Lighter store heifers 200kg to 350kg averaged €3.45/kg, with heifers 350kg to 450kg averaging €3.28/kg.

A smashing BBX heifer born February ’24, weighing 380kg, made €1,620 (€4.26/kg) for the same farmer from Belmullet. Another farmer from Shrule had one BBX weighing 330kg making €2,240 (€6.79/kg) while another made €5.06/kg.

Half the month gone, with booking this Thursday for next Tuesday's weanling sale on lowcall 0818 301 401.