More than 300 heifers were presented for Thursday’s show and sale of heifers in Carriagallen Mart. It is always a good gauge of the autumn store trade and this year’s sale didn’t disappoint.
While prices are back on last year's sale by about €50/head, many expected this given where beef price is today compared to 12 months ago. While the crowd was small, a few very good customers who finish heifers along with agents kept the trade flowing quickly for much of the day. There were almost 200 heifers in the 500-600kg bracket and these were generally hitting the €2/kg mark; 550kg heifers hammered down at €1,100 was the common call.
Carrigallen Mart heifer sale: This April 2018 born heifer weighed 570kg knocked down at €1070 or €1.87/kg. Only a handful of buyers around the ring but some very good customers. @farmersjournal @FJBeef pic.twitter.com/TSPkGexhv5
— Adam Woods (@ajwwoods) October 17, 2019
A few exceptional heifers hit the big time, with a spring 2018-born Limousin heifer weighing 545kg making €1,510 or €2.77/kg and another spring 2018-born Simmental heifer weighing 565kg making €1,430 or €2.53/kg.
Plainer heifers were harder sold, with a number of 450kg Aberdeen Angus and Hereford dairy cross heifers struggling to get into €1.70/kg. Heavier heifers closer to a factory kill were back a little more, with some estimating they could be back as much as €120 when compared with last year. Again, a few of top heifers around the 700kg mark made €1,400 and over it or €2/kg. The general run for these heifers was closer to €1.80/kg.
Called into Carrigallen mart on the way home. Annual heifer show and sale, over 300 in it today, a few @gaulstownfarms buddies in it waving like hell...This heifer, a January 2018 born Charolais weighed 630kg and was hammered down at €1280. @farmersjournal @FJBeef pic.twitter.com/ZlY8Qsq7Qc
— Adam Woods (@ajwwoods) October 17, 2019