John McAnenly held his Mableview in-calf heifer sale in Elphin Mart on Friday night last, with prices reaching a ceiling of €4,350.
The majority of the 55 heifers forward were made up of Limousin-cross animals.
In total, 34 Limousin-sired heifers sold to average over €3.60/kg.
If we only look at the top third of these lots, this price increased to €4.26/kg.
Leading the way for the Limousin breed was lot 3, an April 2017-born in-calf heifer weighing 705kg and selling for €3,600 or €5.11/kg.
Next best of the Limousins was lot 24, a May 2017-born heifer weighing 820kg which sold for €3,550 (€4.33/kg).
Nine Charolais-cross heifers were offered for sale, with prices for these settling at €3.21/kg.
Top price in this section was for lot 15, a May 2017-born heifer weighing 750kg and selling for €3,200 (€4.27).
This sale price was matched by another Charolais when lot 14 was sold. However, this March 2018-born heifer’s weight was 905kg, so the price per kg dropped to €3.54.
Top lot
Only six Belgian Blue heifers were offered, with the top end demanding a number of the top prices.
Overall, all six sold to an average price of €4.25/kg, but this jumped to €5.51/kg when you look at the top two.
Securing the highest price of the night at €4,350 was lot 32.
This September 2017-born heifer weighed in at 675kg and sold for €6.44/kg.
Next best of the Blues was lot 46, an August 2017-born heifer weighing 765kg which sold for €3,500 (€4.58/kg).
Simmental and Shorthorn
Three Simmental heifers were offered which averaged €3.47/kg.
These prices were led by lot 36, a July 2017-born heifer weighing 800kg which sold for €3,000 (€3.75/kg).
The only Shorthorn heifer offered for sale met a strong demand, weighing 765kg and selling for €2,850 or €3.73/kg.
Overall, the sale witnessed a 100% clearance, with heifers averaging an impressive €3.60/kg.
Quiz: Thrive finishing cattle weights and grades
In pictures: Tullamore Farm heifer sale preview - lots 800-814