Friday night last saw 110 weanling heifers go under the hammer for Mayo-Sligo Mart’s elite weanling heifer sale, with this year seeing no maiden bulling heifers included.

A special in-calf heifer sale from two local farmers was instead included, with this being the first specialist sale held at the mart for commercial in-calf heifers.

The weanling trade was led by buyers looking for heifers to make top sucklers for home use or for specialist in-calf heifer producers, while fatstock potential heifers were also available and highly sought after.

Mart manager Billy Loftus noted: “Their main focus was on the quality of weanlings on offer, with a number of repeat customers back again to buy.

“This year, most of the calves went to farmers in the south (from 10 different counties), while 16 heifers sold going to repeat Northern Ireland customers.”

The top price on the night in the weanlings was a Limousin-cross heifer weighing 410kg which sold for €4,900 to a Co Leitrim buyer.

Second-top price of the night was a Belgian Blue-cross weighing 340kg selling for €4,250 purchased by a Co Roscommon customer.

In summary, nine calves made in excess of €4,000, while another 14 calves made in excess of €3,000.

Quality heifers saw prices in excess of €6/kg paid, while plainer quality R grading types were back closer to €4.70/kg to €4.90/kg on the night, though good demand was still seen for these lesser-type heifers, with colour adding an additional bonus in price where present.

Springers

Thirty-eight in-calf heifers from local farmers Anthony and James Gill met with solid demand, with Billy noting that it was “mostly all local buyers from Mayo and Sligo area looking for top replacements”.

The average price on the night was €4,125 across the 38 lots, with heifers calving from November onwards to predominantly easy calving AI Limousin bulls.

Donation

Outside of that, Anthony Gill donated a smashing Belgian Blue-cross heifer, which was auctioned and proceeds donated to Cancer Care West.

Calving in November to Drumline S 1185, this An De Beauffaux-sired heifer sold for €6,900 and was purchased by local man John Caden Jnr.

Billy Loftus said: “We also held a draw on the night in which €2,500 was raised for the same charity.

“On behalf on everyone in Ballina Mart, we would like to thanks the Gill family and everyone involved in running the sale and draw for Cancer Care West.”