On Saturday, the Western Simmental Club held its 25th anniversary sale in Aurivo Livestock Mart, Ballymote, Co Sligo.
With over 200 females catalogued, there was a good trade across all sections, with a sale clearance of 93% achieved.
In-calf heifers were in great demand, with an average price of €1,967 paid, up just over €100/head from €1,865 last year.
There were very few heifers making less than €1,700/head, with top-quality lots making €2,050 to €2,250 in many instances.
In cases where the heifer had been scanned in-calf to an AI-bred bull and carrying a heifer calf, there was a little more appetite, as farmers looked to secure two generations of breeding stock in one purchase.
Maiden heifers
The average price paid was also up for the maiden heifers, coming in at €1,379, an increase of almost €30/head on 2019 figures.
The general range of prices ran from €1,250 to €1,400 in the main, with more on offer for that top-quality heifer.
There was perhaps a bit more on offer for four- and five-star heifers with genomic evaluations that would qualify them for the BDGP scheme. However, the quality of the animal was still the main driver of the price being paid.
In the weanling heifer section, again there was an excellent clearance rate, with just four animals going unsold. The sale averaged a very respectable €1,030/head.
This five-star (€111) heifer, due in November to Gucci, sold for €2,150.
This five-star (€136) heifer in-calf to Curaheen Earp, due November, sold €2,100.
This five-star (€136) heifer scanned in-calf to Seafort Gill, calving in February, sold for €1,900.
This April 2018-born heifer in-calf to Fifty Cent, due end of November, sold for €2,200.
This five-star (€131) heifer with a genomic evaluation and calving in February to QCD sold for €2,750.
This December 2018-born five-star heifer weighed 600kg and sold for €1,800.
This August 2019-born five-star heifer with a genomic evaluation and replacement figure of €136 sold for €1,200.
This April 2019-born five-star heifer with a genomic evaluation weighed 480kg and sold for €1,500.
This May 2019-born five-star heifer weighing 530kg sold for €1,500.
This February 2019-born four-star heifer weighed 550kg and sold for €1,300
On Saturday, the Western Simmental Club held its 25th anniversary sale in Aurivo Livestock Mart, Ballymote, Co Sligo.
With over 200 females catalogued, there was a good trade across all sections, with a sale clearance of 93% achieved.
In-calf heifers were in great demand, with an average price of €1,967 paid, up just over €100/head from €1,865 last year.
There were very few heifers making less than €1,700/head, with top-quality lots making €2,050 to €2,250 in many instances.
In cases where the heifer had been scanned in-calf to an AI-bred bull and carrying a heifer calf, there was a little more appetite, as farmers looked to secure two generations of breeding stock in one purchase.
Maiden heifers
The average price paid was also up for the maiden heifers, coming in at €1,379, an increase of almost €30/head on 2019 figures.
The general range of prices ran from €1,250 to €1,400 in the main, with more on offer for that top-quality heifer.
There was perhaps a bit more on offer for four- and five-star heifers with genomic evaluations that would qualify them for the BDGP scheme. However, the quality of the animal was still the main driver of the price being paid.
In the weanling heifer section, again there was an excellent clearance rate, with just four animals going unsold. The sale averaged a very respectable €1,030/head.
This five-star (€111) heifer, due in November to Gucci, sold for €2,150.
This five-star (€136) heifer in-calf to Curaheen Earp, due November, sold €2,100.
This five-star (€136) heifer scanned in-calf to Seafort Gill, calving in February, sold for €1,900.
This April 2018-born heifer in-calf to Fifty Cent, due end of November, sold for €2,200.
This five-star (€131) heifer with a genomic evaluation and calving in February to QCD sold for €2,750.
This December 2018-born five-star heifer weighed 600kg and sold for €1,800.
This August 2019-born five-star heifer with a genomic evaluation and replacement figure of €136 sold for €1,200.
This April 2019-born five-star heifer with a genomic evaluation weighed 480kg and sold for €1,500.
This May 2019-born five-star heifer weighing 530kg sold for €1,500.
This February 2019-born four-star heifer weighed 550kg and sold for €1,300
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