Successful first sale for Donegal Mule Group

The recently established Donegal Mule Group held its first sale on Saturday 24 September.

Darren Carty

30 September 2016

Successful first sale for Donegal Mule Group

These Mule ewe lambs, viewed through the pen, with an orange mark on their head and bred by John Bustard sold for €110 each. Photos courtesy of Mark Mc Connell Agricultural Consultancy.

These ewe lambs, also bred by John Bustard, claimed the prize for the best pen of ewe lambs and sold for €147 each.

Thomas Doherty bred these Mule ewe lambs that were placed second in the best pen of lambs, which sold for €140 each. Photos courtesy of Mark Mc Connell Agricultural Consultancy.

These quality Mule ewe lambs with a pink mark and bred by Christopher Johnston sold for €136 each. The lambs with a yellow mark sold for €134 each. Photos courtesy of Mark Mc Connell Agricultural Consultancy.

Two pens of good-quality ewe lambs bred by Declan McGrath. The front pen sold for €122 each, while the back pen sold for €112 each. Photos courtesy of Mark Mc Connell Agricultural Consultancy.

This pen of Mule ewe lambs bred by Kieran McGrath and viewed through the penning sold for €112 each. Photos courtesy of Mark Mc Connell Agricultural Consultancy.

Last Saturday’s inaugural Donegal Mule Group sale exceeded all expectations for the recently formed group. The sale, held in Ballybofey & Stranorlar Mart, recorded a 100% clearance, with ewe lambs and hoggets purchased by farmers in Donegal, Leitrim, Roscommon and Westmeath.

Ewe lamb prices ranged from €100 to €170/head, with a high percentage selling from €110 to €130 each, while Mule ewe hoggets ranged in price from €146 to €205/head. Group member Kieran McGrath said that the success of the sale has rewarded breeders and all involved in the sale for their hard work and efforts.

The initiative has also shown that there is good demand for maternal replacements traded in significant numbers, with buyers willing to travel long distances. The group has already started discussing how its inaugural sale can be built upon, with its success increasing confidence of group members.

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