Continental heifers, in particular Charolais heifers, were in strong demand over the course of a long day of selling at Carrigallen Mart’s annual heifer show and sale last Saturday. Following last week’s heavy rain, numbers at the sale were boosted, with close on 550 heifers passing through the ring.

This February 2020-born Charolais heifer weighed 360kg and sold for €1,100 (€3.08/kg).

Feeders and farmers were especially active around the ring over the course of the eight hours of selling. Farmers were the headline grabbers, though.

This June 2019-born Limousin heifer weighed 410kg and sold for €1,160.

It was the farmer who drove the price for the real quality cattle sold, with a particular demand for anything that was showing potential for breeding purposes. A number of southern-based purchasers also helped boost demand.

This February-born Limousin heifer came first in the Limousin class. She weighed 405kg and sold for €1,520 (€3.75/kg).

Continental heifers readily made from €2.50/kg to €2.80/kg. Cattle with a bit of weight and plenty of quality were pushed to €3.00/kg regularly.

In terms of the show and sale winners, the presence of a rosette on the back of heifers drove activity ringside.

This March 2020-born Charolais heifer weighed 315kg and sold for €1,030 (€3.26/kg).

The supreme champion was a January 2020-born Charolais-cross which weighed 465kg and was bid into €2,000 (€4.30/kg) but went unsold.

A beautiful 330kg February 2020-born Limousin won the breeding heifer class. She generated incredible attention around the ring and finally sold for a whopping €1,720 (€5.21/kg).

This March 2020-born Charolais heifer weighed 395kg and sold for €930 (€2.77/kg).

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Carrigallen Mart manager Helen Kells said there was demand from buyers throughout the day: “It was another strong sale on Saturday and I’m incredibly grateful to all the buyers and the sellers.

This March-born Charolais heifer weighed 335kg and sold for €930 (€2.77/kg).

Both were incredibly responsible when it came to the new stricter COVID-19 rules and I thank them for their adherence to the mart rules. There was incredible patience and goodwill shown from all towards our staff and this helped make the day such a great success.

This December 2019-born Charolais heifer weighed 405kg and sold for €1,400 (€3.45/kg).

“Similar to the show and sale of weanling bulls last week, buyers were quick to comment on the quality of the heifers throughout the day. The quality of animals rarely dipped at any point over the course of the day and it is a testament to the farmers in the area who continue to breed such good quality stock,” Helen said.

This January-born Charolais-cross heifer weighed 345kg and sold for €990 (€2.86/kg).

Carrigallen Mart has its show and sale of store heifers on Thursday 15 October starting at 12pm sharp.

This January 2020-born Charolais heifer claimed champion of the show. She weighed 465kg and went home unsold having been bid to €2,000 (€4.30/kg).

This September 2019-born Limousin heifer weighed 450kg and sold for €1,090 (€2.42/kg).

This January-born Charolais heifer weighed 320kg and sold for €960 (€3/kg).