Simmental heifers see phenomenal demand in Ballymote

The Western Simmental Club saw their 30th anniversary sale reach new heights with huge demand for weanlings, maiden and in-calf heifers.

Quality remained high, with all heifers having been pre-inspected for the sale, while a large portion of the heifers were AI bred, with breeding data included in the sale catalogue. Heifers were at least 50% Simmental, with the majority above 70% while a portion of pedigree unregistered heifers were also presented.

Bidding was taken online through Martbids and ringside, with 42% of the 180 heifers on offer selling to 16 different online buyers, many of them northern -based, with over 50 heifers travelling across the border to repeat and new customers. The highest demand was seen for maiden heifers by northern buyers between 500-540kg.

In-calf heifers

First through the ring in Ballymote mart were 52 in-calf heifers, under the hammer of auctioneer Eamon Gaffney.

Heifers sold between €2,500 and €5,500, with the majority of heifers selling in the €3,400-€4,000 bracket. Colour, shape and weight were the main dictators of price, with lighter, plainer heifers seeing a tougher trade but a full clearance.

Good framed heifers with power and weight while retaining their feminine characteristics sold for a premium, with 21 in-calf heifers selling for €4,000-€4,999 while a further four heifers sold for €5,000 or more.

Top price was a roan coloured heifer scanned in-calf to sexed female semen of Dereen Jack. Weighing 750kg, she sold for €5,500 to a ringside buyer.

Maiden heifers

As mentioned, maidens were in keen demand with all 96 lots finding new homes. Over half the maiden heifers on offer were sold for export to Northern Ireland. Heifers sold between €2,000 and €4,450, while the majority of heifers were sold between €2,700 and €3,400. Maiden heifers between 500-600kg averaged €5.95/kg, with the top third averaging €6.72/kg. Top price in the maidens was a 625kg heifer that sold for €4,450 (€7.12/kg) to a Northern-based customer.

Weanling heifers

A total of 29 weanling heifers all saw the hammer fall and heifers travel to new homes. Weanlings sold between €1,500 and €4,500, with €2,000 to €2,650 buying the majority of heifers on offer, with higher prices generally being paid to heifers on the upper end of the 400-500kg bracket or those with commercial show potential. Top price in the weanlings was a super January 2025-born heifer weighing 440kg that sold for €4,500 (€10.23/kg).