The Western Simmental Club held its annual sale of crossbred heifers on Saturday last at Aurivo Mart, Ballymote. The sale continues to draw large crowds from across the country.

Mart manager Stephen Hannon said that the sale saw an entry of about 200 in-calf heifers, maiden heifers, yearlings and weanlings.

The trade started with brisk demand for all good-quality in-calf heifers, with plenty of buyer activity.

At the top of the trade, good-quality springer heifers sold to €2,550, with a good share more selling to €2,400/head. The average price was around €2,000/head.

Sligo breeder Declan Oates received the highest price of €3,000 for an October 2016-born 520kg all-Ireland winning crossbred Simmental heifer. Local farmer Sandra Killoran was the winning bidder.

Maiden heifers over 450kg were met with very strong demand. They averaged at around about €1,500/head, with the very tops reaching €2,250. At the upper end of the market, there were good-quality heifers selling from €1,800 to €2,000/head.

The weanling section was not quite as hot of a trade as the maidens and in-calf lots, but there was a strong trade nonetheless, with several good-quality types making well over €1,200, while the average price was around €1,100.

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