Smashing stock at Mayo weanling sale

THERE were some smashing weanlings - better than a show and sale in September - at yesterday (Tuesday) evening's sale at Balla Mart.

A great atmosphere around the crowded rings saw brisk trade and it's good to be a seller due to the high prices and the flying trade in the bulls, particularly those suitable for export. There was a near total clearance, with over 100 more sold than last week.

Bulls averaged over €4.20/kg in all weight categories.

It’s great to see trade is sticking so well and the mart will be having another weanling sale on Tuesday, March 11, followed by the show and sale on March 25 with prizes/classes for Charolais, Limousin and Belgian Blue.

Bulls 200kg to 350kg averaged €4.27/kg, with the tops making over €5.00/kg. Bull weanlings 350kg to 450kg averaged 4.31/kg and heavier bulls 450kg plus averaged €4.25/kg.

Bull prices included: 290kg BBX €1,600 (€5.52/kg), 340kg CHX €1,820 (€5.35/kg), 385kg BBX €2,200 (€5.71/kg), 400kg BBX €2,260 (€5.65/kg), 440kg BBX €2,420 (€5.46/kg), 480kg CH €2,400 (€5.50/kg), 470kg LMX €2,390 (€5.09/kg), 500kg LMX €2,660 (€5.32/kg).

The best were all bought by exporters for an average of between €4.40 to €4.80/kg.

A cracking year old LMX bull weighing 500kg made €2,660, going to an exporter from Meath.

Another BBX bull born March ’24 and weighing 400kg made €2,260 for a farmer from Headford, going to a Donegal exporter.

Farmers were active in the heifer ring where lighter store heifers 200kg to 350kg averaged €4.07/kg, with heifers 350kg to 450kg averaging €4.02/kg and stock 450kg plus averaging €4.05/kg.

Heifer prices included: 315kg LMX €2,260 (€7.17/kg), 365kg LM €2,700 (€7.40/kg), 460kg BBX €2,200 (€4.78/kg), 430kg LMX €2,800 (€6.51/kg).

A Dovea BBX BB8736 heifer, ‘Red Lions de la Rouge’, born April ’24 and weighing 410kg, was bought online for €4,700 (€11.46/kg), sold by a farmer from Dunmore.