Bumper breeding heifer sale at Mayo mart

A special breeding heifer sale saw one of the best yards ever at Balla Mart on Saturday, with quality stock coming into big money.

Buyers were very active online, with additional buyers also present from all over Ireland and the North.

Lighter store heifers 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.09/kg, heifers 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.12/kg, and those 500kg plus averaged €4.34/kg.

A smashing little LMX store heifer weighing 240kg made €1,600 (€6.67/kg), sold by a farmer from Westport. Another 435kg CHX born February ’24 made €3,360 (€7.72/kg) for farmer from Headford.

A farmer who travelled from Dunmanway in Cork did well with his 590kg LMX - sold for €4,500 to a buyer from Co Clare. Another heifer born February ’23 made €4,620 for a farmer who travelled from Athlone with 12 heifers.

In the bullocks, prices were up and light stores 300kg to 40 kg especially were very dear - some up by €200 on last week and €600 up on this sale last year.

A LMX bullock born March ’23 weighing 395kg made €2,180 (€5.52/kg) for a farmer from Charlestown while another LMX 490kg made €2,300 (€4.69/kg) for a farmer from Kilkelly.

A cracking CHX bullock weighing 860kg made €3,200 (or €2,340 with the weight) for a farmer from Castlebar.

Cows were a fine trade with those 500kg plus averaging €3.49/kg and the tops getting over €4/kg.

A serious April ’17 dry cow weighing 1055kg made €4,540 for a farmer from Ballina. Another dry cow weighing 930kg made €3,970 for a farmer from Westport.

In the springers, an in-calf cow born March 2020 and due March 26 made €4,100.

For booking this Wednesday for the sale next Saturday, low call 0818 301401.