Flying trade at Mayo weanling sale

BALLA Mart saw a super yard of great weanlings at its Tuesday sale this week, probably due to high prices bringing stock out early, and with the flying trade in bulls continuing.

Bulls averaged €1,420 a head across the board and for the first time, they averaged over €4/kg in all weight categories.

The online side of things was very active and trade got stronger as the night progressed as another major exporter came online.

Heifer calves got great buying from farmers, with some breeding types making over €5/kg. Tops was a heavy 380kg BBX heifer, bought online for €4,060.

Bulls 200kg to 350kg averaged €4.10/kg with the tops making over €5.00/kg to €6.00/kg. Bull weanlings 350kg to 450kg averaged €4.14/kg while heavier bulls 450kg plus averaged €4.24/kg.

Bull prices included:

260kK BBX €1,640 (€6.31/kg)

275kg LMX €E1,740 (€6.33/kg)

305kg BBX €1,860 (€6.10/kg)

410kg BBX €2,240 (€5.46/kg)

480kg CH €2,400 (€5/kg)

495kg LMX €2,560 (€5.17/kg)

550kg BBX €2,620 (€4.76/kg)

A cracking BBX bull weighing 550kg made €2,620 for a farmer from Castlerea who had more weanlings that also did very well.

Another LMX bull born May ’24 and weighing 495kg made €2,560 for a farmer from Ballaghaderreen.

There was some trade in the heifers, as can be witnessed by the averages and examples of how well they were selling.

Lighter store heifers 200kg to 350kg averaged €4.08/kg, heifers 350kg to 450kg averaged €4.27/kg, while stock 450kg plus averaged €4.17/kg.

Heifer prices included:

305kg LMX €2,260 (€7.41/kg)

350kg LMX €3,000 (€8.57/kg)

380kg BBX €4,060 (€10.68/kg)

430kg LMX €2,800 (€6.51/kg)

A 4* star LMX EBY x Adaigo x Jagerbomb heifer born June ’24, weighing 305kg, was bought online for €2,260, sold by a farmer from Castlebar.

Another weanling sale will take place on Tuesday, February 25.