Balla Mart saw a packed ringside and a yard of quality cattle on offer at its maiden heifer sale on Friday last.
Farmers seeking replacements had to battle it out with specialist in-calf heifer producers, as well as northern buyers, to source quality heifers.
A share of aged and plainer heifers met with a similar trade to other weeks, but overall averages were up over €1/kg across all weight bands.
A total of 257 heifers were present, with 215 sold, though many heifers unsold were still commanding strong money.
Heifers weighing 400kg to 500kg averaged €5.20/kg, with the top third selling for an impressive €6.46/kg.
The majority of heifers on offer were bulling types weighing between 500kg and 600kg, with these lots averaging €5.09/kg, with the top and bottom third averaging €6.40/kg and €4.03/kg respectively.
The 600kg-plus bracket was likely the most impressive of the night.
Sixty-seven heifers averaged €5.45/kg, though the top third averaged an astonishing €7.48/kg. The bottom third consisted of more factory types and averaged €4.12/kg.
The top three prices of the night all went to one farmer, with his lots hitting €8,150, €7,000 and €6,650 for three Blue-cross heifers.
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