In Monday's sale at Elphin Mart, 430 cattle went under the hammer with a special show and sale of weanling heifers.
Some 115 heifers weighing between 300kg and 400kg averaged €5.05/kg, while the top third averaged an impressive €5.93/kg.
The bottom third of heifers saw a tougher day's selling, as they averaged out at €4.34/kg.
Lighter heifers weighing between 200kg and 300kg saw better farmer demand, with 55 heifers averaging €5.21/kg.
The top-priced heifer in this weight bracket sold for €2,060 weighing 295kg (€6.98/kg). The top third of these heifers averaged €5.95/kg.
Vibrant trade
A number of high-value Limousin and Belgian Blue-cross heifers met a vibrant trade.
The top-priced heifer on the day was from local man Cathal Carney, as his Belgian Blue-cross heifer sired by Progressive Genetics bull Benevolie Du Bouchelet (BB9553) sold for €4,300.
A number of heifers weighing over 400kg crossed the €3,000 barrier, which resulted in the top third of heifers weighing over 400kg averaging €7.41/kg.
A number of heifers were making over €3,000, but left the ring unsold.
“Heifers overall were a good trade. The top heifers are still holding firm, with plenty making €6/kg, but the lesser heifers are back – it takes a well-bred heifer to cross the €5/kg barrier,” said mart manager Ciaran Lynch.
“There was plenty of farmers for heifers, but with the price of stores back and dear weanlings bought last year, these farmers just aren’t able to give the same as they were last year."
In-calf heifers
There was a special entry of in-calf heifers on the night from three different farmers. Overall demand was firm, with 62 out of the 63 finding new homes.
Heifers averaged out at €3,794, with lighter heifers selling from €2,700 to €3,200, while heifers weighing over 700kg sold across the €4,000 mark, with a number of heifers selling for over €6,000.
“Demand is good for the red Limousin-cross heifer and the soft Charolais heifer. Farmers [are] not as keen on the Belgian Blue heifers as they were last year, but there has been plenty of farmers ringside the last few weeks and most are buying, with the majority of in-calf heifers selling from €3,000 to €4,200."
This Belgian Blue-cross heifer weighing 460kg and born 12/01/26 sold for €4,300 (€9.35/kg).
This Belgian Blue-cross heifer weighing 425kg and born 27/02/26 sold for €3,260 (€7.67/kg).
This Limousin-cross heifer weighing 415kg and born 29/01/26 sold for €2,980 (€7.18/kg).
This Charolais-cross heifer weighing €370kg and born 01/05/26 sold for €1,880 (€5.09/kg).
This Charolais-cross heifer weighing 335kg and born 16/02/26 sold for €1,960 (€5.85/kg).
This Charolais-cross heifer weighing 355kg and born 05/05/26 sold for €2,160 (€6.08/kg).
This Limousin-cross heifer weighing 365kg and born 04/03/26 sold for €2,500 (€6.85/kg).
This Charolais-cross heifer weighing 365kg and born 02/03/26 sold for €1,780 (€4.88/kg).
This Charolais-cross heifer weighing 345kg and born 07/04/26 sold for €1,600 (€4.64/kg).
This Charolais-cross heifer weighing 290kg and born 08/05/26 sold for €1,500 (€5.17/kg).
This pair of Charolais-cross heifers weighing 295kg and born 28/03/26 sold for €1,360 (€4.61/kg).
This Limousin-cross heifer due 21 November, weighing 725kg and born 14/03/26 sold for €6,800.
This Limousin-cross heifer weighing 680kg and due in February sold for €4,200.
This Limousin-cross in-calf heifer weighing 680kg due 6th December sold for €4,000.
