Record prices were literally blown away on Saturday 18 October at the Irish Salers Cattle Society's show and sale in Gort Mart.

Breeding females were on fire, with prices never witnessed before for commercial breeding heifers.

William Murphy from Co Cork had a tremendous day out, topping the trade at €5,900 and selling a pen of seven heifers ranging from €4,800 to €5,900.

David McNamara from Co Galway was next best in the in-calfs, with a heifer at €4,750. The 43 in-calf commercial heifers averaged €4,123.

Maiden heifers

Demand was just as strong for the 63 maiden heifers, averaging €3,792, with the top price of €4,950 going to Ian Molan from Co Limerick, followed by €4,700 for a maiden from Jerry McNamara in Co Cork.

The ferocious demand saw 30 maiden heifers cross €4,000.

Weanlings continued that trend, as 20 calves averaged €2,574, with a top price of €4,300 for a heifer calf, again from Jerry McNamara in Co Cork.

Pedigree heifers

Just three pedigree heifers were cataloged on the day, with the top price of €4,800 going to Kieran Glendon from Co Mayo for his October 2024-born heifer Sammons Dominique, sired by Sligo Valentino and out of a Baron-bred dam.

Mayo breeders Ferdia and Brendan Joyce traded the other two pedigree heifers - Roskeel Delilah and Roskeel Emerald at €3,750 and €3,500, daughters of Baron and Knottown Roy.

Overall, 130 heifers went through the ring, achieving a 100% clearance.

One of the sale organisers, Seamus Nagle, said: "Demand for cattle far exceeded supply. Southern buyers consistently outbid their northern counterparts, with only 12 animals travelling north of the border.

"The maiden heifer section in particular was on fire, with many maidens making between €4,000 and €4,950.

"The majority of buyers were from Mayo, Galway, Westmeath, Clare and Roscommon. The sale broke all previous top prices and averages, a sale for the history books."

Read all about the sale in this week's Irish Farmers Journal.