There was a strong demand for in-calf heifers at “Swatragh Showstoppers” special sale of 56 elite in-calf heifers presented by Northern Counties Co-operative Enterprises (NCCE) Ltd. on Thursday 15 October at Swatragh Livestock Mart.
The heifers, due to calve in November, attracted a sale ring packed to capacity while many purchasers also bid online.
Prior to the sale, NCCE pregnancy scanned all the heifers and determined the sex of the calf. There was particular demand for well grown in-calf heifers carrying female calves. The sale attracted buyers looking for show quality animals as well as female replacements for suckler herds.
Fifty-one of the 56 heifers presented were sold through the ring, which equates to a clearance rate of 91%.
The sale reached a top price of £7,100 for a 36-month-old red Limousin cross Belgian Blue animal.
Highlights
Other sale highlights included a trio of heifers which realised £6,900 each.
This included a 28-month-old Charolais cross heifer carrying a female calf, followed by a 25-month-old Limousin cross heifer carrying a male calf.
A 33-month-old Belgian Blue cross Limousin carrying a female calf completed the £6,900 hattrick.
Across the sale, prices paid averaged £4,818, with a range from £3,500 to the top of £7,100.
