Last Friday saw a special weanling show and sale take place at Ballymote Mart. Manager Stephen Hannon said that there was a good entry of over 250 bulls and heifers on offer with the vast majority of very good quality.
The trade for heifers was sticky at times, but the bull trade was better than expected given the current climate. Quality bulls were quite a good trade, but where plainer ones were on offer they were harder sold.
Heavy bulls over 400kg sold mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.13/kg or for up to €1,000/head. The main run of weanling bulls was from 300kg to 400kg.
Top-quality heavier types sold for up to €2.36/kg and prices averaged at just over €2.30/kg, with some top-quality lighter bulls making as much as 400kg. Plain-quality bulls from 300kg to 350kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg. Light bulls under 300kg ranged mainly in price from €600 to €750/head.
Heifers from 350kg to 400kg sold mainly from €620 to €835 depending on quality, with lighter types from 300kg to 350kg selling mainly from €700 to €800/head and some making over €900/head. Light heifers from 200kg to 300kg sold for just over €2.30/kg for average-quality types, with the best heifers making over €3.00/kg.
Commission rates are 2% to the seller and €9 to the buyer with and entry fee of €2/head.