In-calf heifers twice hit a sale-topping £2,900 at the Drumhilla Leading Ladies sale on Wednesday night.

With a packed ringside, strong buying demand drove the trade to a sale average of £1,740 per head. Sale prices ranged from £1,350 up to £2,900 which was paid for a Charolais and a Limousin heifer.

Herd owners Will and Gareth Corrie from Newtownards brought forward 100 in-calf heifers for sale with a 100% clearance rate.

Other noted prices were £2,700 for a Limousin heifer, £2,600 for a Blue heifer with two more Limousin heifers selling for £2,600 and £2,400. A Blonde heifer sold to £2,150.

Most heifers sold from £1,600 to £1,900 per head and mart manager Sam McNabney commented on a high number of repeat buyers from previous Drumhilla herd sales around the ring.

All heifers were scanned in-calf to Limousin bulls and are due to start calving from the end of January through to early April. Heifers offered for sale were also vaccinated for BVD and Lepto.

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