The annual fatstock show and sale took place in Raphoe Livestock Mart last Friday 4 December.

The sale saw almost 160 of the best quality cattle, not only in the region but also coming from far and wide, forward for sale. Trade was brisk throughout and an overall clearance rate of 96% was achieved.

Reserve champion bullock was this Limousin born May 2019 weighed 1,015kg and sold for €2,400 (€2.36/kg).

The supreme champion of the show and champion bullock overall was a January 2019-born Limousin weighing 1,005kg.

Exhibited by Fergal Flanagan, Elphin, and Brian Dyer, Claremorris, the bullock was knocked down to JC Farms for €2,550.

Champion heifer of the show was this March 2019-born Limousin weighing 740kg and sold for €3,500 (€4.73/kg).

The reserve champion, a May 2019-born Limousin weighing in at a massive 1,015kg, was exhibited by Bobby Patterson, Raphoe, and purchased by a Northern Ireland exporter for €2,400.

Champion cow of the show was this 2013-born Charolais weighing 770kg who sold for €2,600 (€3.37/kg).

Champion heifer went to a March 2019-born Limousin, exhibited by Clive Stevenson, Letterkenny. The heifer weighed 740kg and was purchased by Christian Wilson for €3,500.

This March 2019-born Limousin weighed 560kg and sold for €1,350 (€2.41/kg).

A seven-year-old Charolais weighing 1,100kg was champion cow of the show.

Exhibited by Jonathan McCarron, Manorcunningham, she was purchased by Gary Scott for €2,600.

Demand for fat cows

There was huge demand for fat cows, with an average price of €2.11/kg on the day and a top price of €2,780 paid for a 2015-born Belgian Blue cow weighing 975kg (€2.85/kg).

This April 2019-born Charolais heifer weighed 545kg and sold for €1,400 (€2.57/kg).

A strong entry of over 60 heifers saw good demand from butchers for well-fleshed factory-fit types, while there seemed to be more demand from online bidders for lots with breeding potential.

The average price paid was €2.49/kg, while the top third of heifers achieved an average price of €2.87/kg. Seven heifers made more than €2,000.

This Limousin heifer, born July 2019, weighed 545kg and sold for €1,380 (€2.53/kg).

Bullocks averaged €2.29/kg, with huge demand for factory-fit stock, with bullocks over 700kg averaging €2.41/kg.

Mart manager Ann Harkin said she was delighted with both the number and quality of stock on show and wished to recognise the effort it took to get stock turned out in such fine condition.

This May 2019-born Charolais heifer weighed 530kg and sold for €1,460 (€2.75/kg).

She went on to thank both exhibitors and buyers for their support and co-operation through what is a challenging time for all livestock marts.

She said that keeping people safe was the main priority on the day and was delighted to see buyers back ringside trading in a safe environment.

Other lots

This 2016-born Limousin cow weighed 835kg and sold for €1,820 (€2.18/kg).

This 2016-born Belgian Blue cross Limousin cow weighed 940kg and sold for €2,100 (€2.23/kg).

This February 2019-born Charolais heifer weighed 525kg and sold for €1,400 (€2.67/kg).

This June 2019-born Limousin heifer weighed 540kg and sold for €1,380 (€2.56/kg).