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Camera at the mart attended the special sale of suckler-bred calves at Markethill Livestock Mart last Thursday evening.
There was a superb entry of 470 calves as part of the mart’s own Charolais show and sale. Calf quality was exceptional and heavily reflected in the prices throughout the sale for both male and female weanlings. Bull calves, in particular, were a superb trade.
Commenting on the sale, mart manager Hampton Hewitt said that the mart had one of its biggest and most successful sale entries ever.
He added that the event is regarded by buyers as one of the standout sale dates held at the mart each year.
Hampton said both sale rings were packed with a big turnout of repeat customers looking for top-quality weanlings.
This underpinned buying competition and again strengthened prices for lighter and heavy weanlings.
He expressed his gratitude to show sponsor Johnston Agri, Clogher, and judge Nigel Matchett for their support.
Bull calves sold to a top price of £1,320 for a 482kg Charolais, which make 274p/kg.
Other noted prices saw the pre-show champion selling to £1,260 for a seven-month-old bull weanling weighing 402kg, making 303p/kg.
The reserve champion came from the same breeder and sold to £1,200 for a 418kg bull weanling, making 287p/kg.
A super entry of heavy weanlings over 400kg regularly sold from 250p to 270p/kg, with very little difference in price paid for bulls and bullocks.
Bull calves weighing 300kg to 400kg were an electric trade, selling from 240p/kg to a top price of 325p/kg for a 320kg animal, which made £1,000. The same breeder also sold a 310kg calf to £1,000, or 323p/kg.
A limited entry of weanlings under 300kg sold from 276p/kg to 366p/kg, with a 216kg calf making £790. The same breeder also sold a 256kg calf to £920.
Heifers were also met with brisk demand, with lots over 400kg selling to 268p/kg for a 412kg animal, which made £1,105.
The champion heifer was a 350kg animal and sold to £1,200, or 343p/kg, with the reserve animal making the same price.
Heifers weighing 300kg to 400kg generally sold from 260p to 326p/kg, with a 326kg animal making £926.
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