A real Christmas cracker. That was the “Allams Christmas Fatstock Spectacular” at the Kings Hall Belfast. One of the lads had been at it some years ago and had told us that if we got a chance we should go to it. Yesterday four of us headed for Belfast, three full time farmers and one part time farmer, all involved in finishing beef one way or another.
That’s one of the many benefits of being a drystock farmer. The pay might not be up to much but you can head off to events when you like, within reason, albeit with great backup from my partner Fiona and my parents to hold the fort.
If you are into commercial beef cattle being shown and presented for sale to a serious high standard, the Kings Hall Belfast is for you on the first Tuesday in December.
We parked up and a waft of hair spray and shampoo hit us as we headed for the cattle sheds. What greeted us was the fine display of beef cattle. It was nice to see some of the cattle with southern jewellery in their ears.
Traditionally, we were told, this sale was where the Belfast butchers came to get their beef for the Christmas trade, and as the cavil dropped, the auctioneer thanked each butcher and some restaurants by name for their purchases.
The beef cattle were sold in £/kg live weight which really is the way it should be sold. You understand very quickly what you are actually paying in real terms.
Maybe it is just sentiment in us farmers but it was nice to be attending a cattle show and sale in a city centre. We all said a show like this would be great in the RDS [Royal Dublin Society] with prime beef, lamb and fowl shown and sold at Christmas time.
The overall champion, a limousine x heifer 530kg realised £9.80/kg or £5200.
The housewives champion, a charollais x heifer 560kg realised £5.50/kg or £3600.
When asked why he put the prize-winners forward, the judge commented “that this was what the market wanted. A nicely fleshed beast from 500-550kg”, adding how evident this was in the sale. It reminded me of what Kepak told us at a recent event they held: "This is what the market wants. Two steaks for €10”. A heifer/steer at 500-600kgs gives that steak.
Trade was good
The heavier animals were harder sold. But apart from the champions, trade in general was good.
500-550 kg heifers made from £2.15/kg to £3.05/kg live weight One exceptional 14 month old 510kg heifer made £4.25/kg600kg -700kg heifers made closer to the £2.20/kg mark.Steers
550-650kg steers made from £2/kg to £2.38kg. Heavy steers 700kg-800kg got hard to make anymore than £2/kg It was very noticeable that the heavier the beast the slower they were sold and the auctioneer was made to earn his commission.
A real Christmas cracker. That was the “Allams Christmas Fatstock Spectacular” at the Kings Hall Belfast. One of the lads had been at it some years ago and had told us that if we got a chance we should go to it. Yesterday four of us headed for Belfast, three full time farmers and one part time farmer, all involved in finishing beef one way or another.
That’s one of the many benefits of being a drystock farmer. The pay might not be up to much but you can head off to events when you like, within reason, albeit with great backup from my partner Fiona and my parents to hold the fort.
If you are into commercial beef cattle being shown and presented for sale to a serious high standard, the Kings Hall Belfast is for you on the first Tuesday in December.
We parked up and a waft of hair spray and shampoo hit us as we headed for the cattle sheds. What greeted us was the fine display of beef cattle. It was nice to see some of the cattle with southern jewellery in their ears.
Traditionally, we were told, this sale was where the Belfast butchers came to get their beef for the Christmas trade, and as the cavil dropped, the auctioneer thanked each butcher and some restaurants by name for their purchases.
The beef cattle were sold in £/kg live weight which really is the way it should be sold. You understand very quickly what you are actually paying in real terms.
Maybe it is just sentiment in us farmers but it was nice to be attending a cattle show and sale in a city centre. We all said a show like this would be great in the RDS [Royal Dublin Society] with prime beef, lamb and fowl shown and sold at Christmas time.
The overall champion, a limousine x heifer 530kg realised £9.80/kg or £5200.
The housewives champion, a charollais x heifer 560kg realised £5.50/kg or £3600.
When asked why he put the prize-winners forward, the judge commented “that this was what the market wanted. A nicely fleshed beast from 500-550kg”, adding how evident this was in the sale. It reminded me of what Kepak told us at a recent event they held: "This is what the market wants. Two steaks for €10”. A heifer/steer at 500-600kgs gives that steak.
Trade was good
The heavier animals were harder sold. But apart from the champions, trade in general was good.
500-550 kg heifers made from £2.15/kg to £3.05/kg live weight One exceptional 14 month old 510kg heifer made £4.25/kg600kg -700kg heifers made closer to the £2.20/kg mark.Steers
550-650kg steers made from £2/kg to £2.38kg. Heavy steers 700kg-800kg got hard to make anymore than £2/kg It was very noticeable that the heavier the beast the slower they were sold and the auctioneer was made to earn his commission.
SHARING OPTIONS