The recent special breeding heifer sale at Balla Mart in Co. Mayo saw some impressive prices for Limousin-cross and Belgian Blue-cross heifers. A Limousin-cross heifer and a Belgian Blue-cross heifer fetched €5,600 and €5,500 respectively, showcasing the strong demand for quality breeding stock in the region. Let’s delve deeper into the details of this sale and understand the significance of these high prices for the local farming community.
### Understanding the Heifer Sale at Balla Mart
The top-priced heifer at the sale, a 610kg Belgian Blue-cross, was sold for an impressive €5,600 or €9.18/kg. This exceptional price reflected the quality of the heifer and the keen interest from buyers, including one from Northern Ireland who purchased the animal for breeding purposes. Another notable sale was a 725kg Belgian Blue-cross heifer that fetched €5,500 or €7.59/kg, further highlighting the strong market demand for premium heifers at the event.
– Limousin-cross heifer: €5,600
– Belgian Blue-cross heifer: €5,500
In total, over 500 heifers were on offer at the sale, with 20 lots fetching prices above the €5.00/kg mark. The average price for heifers weighing 500kg and over set a new record for Balla Mart at €3.50/kg, indicating a robust market for heavier animals. Additionally, lighter store heifers in the 300-400kg range averaged €3.04/kg, while heifers weighing 400-500kg commanded an average price of €3.10/kg, providing a comprehensive view of the pricing trends across different weight categories.
### Highlights from the Sale
The sale also featured special offerings in the springers category, with in-calf heifers garnering significant attention. A particularly noteworthy sale was a heifer due to calve in December that fetched €4.60/kg, emphasising the value of quality breeding stock in the marketplace. Moreover, the auction saw over 120 cows in the dry cow sale, with heavier cows over 500kg averaging €2.43/kg. A standout sale was a robust Limousin dry cow weighing 900kg that made €2,620 for a farmer from Swinford, underscoring the diversity of livestock offerings at Balla Mart.
– Top prices for in-calf heifers
– Strong demand for quality breeding stock
– Robust pricing for dry cows
### The Steer Sale and Price Trends
In the steer sale, bullocks across different weight categories saw competitive pricing, with bullocks weighing 300-400kg averaging €3.05/kg and store bullocks in the 400-500kg range averaging €3.07/kg. Heavier bullocks over 500kg also commanded strong prices, with an average of €2.96/kg. Notable sales included a 385kg Charolais bullock that made €1,440 or €3.74/kg, and a 490kg Charolais bullock that fetched €1,700 or €3.47/kg, showcasing the demand for quality steers at the mart.
– Pricing trends for bullocks across weight categories
– Premium prices for Charolais bullocks
### Looking Ahead: Future Sales at Balla Mart
Balla Mart continues to be a hub for livestock auctions, with upcoming sales set to attract buyers and sellers alike. A special sale of eight in-calf heifers is scheduled for October 19, featuring red Limousines scanned in calf to sought-after AI bulls Marco and Sterling. These prime offerings are expected to generate significant interest from the farming community, underscoring the market’s appetite for quality breeding stock.
### Conclusion
The recent breeding heifer sale at Balla Mart in Co. Mayo showcased the robust demand for quality livestock, with premium prices achieved for Limousin-cross and Belgian Blue-cross heifers. The strong pricing trends across different weight categories for heifers, cows, and steers underscored the resilience of the local agricultural market. As Balla Mart gears up for future sales, farmers can look forward to engaging opportunities to buy and sell livestock, further contributing to the vibrancy of the region’s agricultural economy.
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