Strong trade continues at Mayo mart

BALLA Mart saw a bigger sale again on Saturday, well up on the previous week, especially in the heifers, and trade remains strong.

There were lesser quality bullocks and they were up by 20 cent/kg on average, with most of the top prices being paid by northern factory buyers.

There was a great selection of heifers, with good trade even for plainer types. Not as many fancy ones this week as they will be held for the special heifer breeding sale on March 8.

Bullocks 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.10/kg, stores 400kg to 500kg averaged €3.81/kg, while heavier bullocks 500kg averaged €3.71/kg.

A CHX bullock born April ’23, weighing 750kg, made €2,930 for a farmer from Curry, while a lighter CHX, 490kg, made €2,190 for a farmer from Kilkelly.

Lighter store bullocks were making exceptional prices over €4/kg - the best, a 270kg CHX, made €1,390.

Lighter store heifers were a tremendous trade, with the best making over €4.50/kg. Heifers 300kg to 400kg averaged €3.83/kg, heifers 400kg to 500kg averaged €3.55/kg, with those 500kg plus making €3.84/kg.

A smashing little CHX store heifer weighing 270kg was sold for €1,470 by the same farmer from Kilkelly. Another CHX born May ’23 and weighing 485kg made €2,090 for farmer from Bonniconlon. A farmer from Aughagower did well with his 590kg LMX - making €2,800, going for breeding.

Cows were a fine trade with stock 500kg plus averaging €3.19/kg and the tops getting over €3.40/kg. One serious May ‘19 CHX made €3,180 for a farmer from Ballina, and another three-year-old cow weighing 680kg made €2,780 for a farmer from Ballymote.

There were 40 springers, and one cow due February 23 made €3,150 for a farmer from Brickens.

Sale as usual next Saturday. A breeding heifer sale takes place on Saturday, March 8.

There will be a weanling sale on Tuesday, March 11, with a special show and sale of weanlings on March 25, with prizes/class for Charolais, Limousin and Belgian Blues.

An organic sale will take place on Saturday, April 5.