€12,800 record price at Mayo mart

THE talking point of the day at Balla Mart on Saturday was a big record price paid.

A Mayo seller, Sean Walsh, saw his reception cow and February-born ‘Pabo Rocknroll’ calf making €12,800.

The sale generally saw about 900 lots on offer, with slightly more heifers than bullocks, and bullocks enjoyed flying trade.

Bullocks 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.35/kg, stores 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.17/kg, while heavier bullocks 500kg plus averaged €4.20/kg.

A CHX bullock weighing 248kg made €2,120 (€8.55/kg) for a farmer from Ballyglass, Claremorris

Prices were up by 0.15/kg for store heifers on last week, with heavy heifers up by .20/kg.

Lighter store heifers 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.27/kg, stock 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.20/kg, while heifers 500kg plus averaged €4.23/kg.

A smashing LMX heifer weighing 570kg made €3,180 58/kg for a Ballinasloe farmer, and another 480kg BBX made €2,800.

There was a great selection of cows, between milkers, in-calf heifers, springers and dry cows.

Booking again this Wednesday for next Saturday's sale on 0818 301 401, with booking on Thursday for the next Tuesday evening weanling sale on May 6.

BALLINROBE MART

The past two months have been exceptionally busy at Ballinrobe mart, with a strong calendar of show and sales events and consistently active weekly sales.

Grass bullocks reached €6/kg over this period with a 300kg LMX bullock making €1,800. Trade for cattle has been notably strong. The sheep trade has been holding its own, but prices have softened slightly. Numbers coming forward in March and April have dipped a little.

On Wednesday Bullocks last, reached a high of €4.63/kg, heifers peaked at €5.42/kg, cows topped at €4.00/kg, and weanling bulls hit €5.13/kg.

Bullocks fetched prices from €700 to €2,660 per head, or €2.55 to €4.63 per kg.

Heifers achieved prices from €600 to €2,390 per head, or €2.95 to €5.42 per kg.

Dry cows ranged from €950 to €2,950 per head, with an average of €1,657.

There was a small turnout for sheep on Thursday. Hoggets ranged from €162 to €202 or €3.36 to €4.25/kg, averaging €3.57/kg.

Cull ewes made up the bulk of the offering, with prices from €90 to €296, averaging €191/head, and price per kg ranging from €1.91 to €3.30, with an average of €2.75/kg.

Ewes with lambs at foot sold from €200 to €340, including a ewe with twin lambs.

Upcoming sales include a bullock sale on Wednesday, May 7t, and Continental heifer sale on May 14. For bookings, call (094) 9541140.