Headford Mart hosted its annual Christmas cracker fat stock sale on Saturday last, with strong demand throughout.

Bullocks ranged from €1.45/kg to €2.49/kg, resulting in some making over €1,000 plus the weight.

This 535kg Limousin bullock born May 2019 sold for €1,130 (€2.11/kg). \ David Ruffles

Heifer trade proved even stronger, with up to €1,070 plus the weight achieved. Overall, heifers ranged from €1.39/kg to €2.95/kg.

These three Angus steers born May 2019 weighed 578kg and sold for €1,140 (€1.97/kg). \ David Ruffles

Current mart manager Jimmy Hannon said following the sale: “We had our Christmas cracker fat stock sale which proved a very good sale.

Jimmy Hannon, mart manager, Headford Cattle Mart, Co Galway. \ David Ruffles

“There was a lot of heavier stock on offer, with mostly farmer buyers active, but also a few factory agents. Altogether, we had 300 cattle on offer, with all bar 20 going home sold.”

This June 2018-born Limousin bullock weighed 615kg and sold for €1,220 (€1.98/kg). \ David Ruffles

The top price per kilogramme achieved for fat stock was for a Belgian Blue heifer weighing 550kg that sold for €1,620 (€2.95/kg).

The overall top price paid was for a Charolais bullock weighing in at a massive 790kg. This powerful bullock sold for €1,800 or €2.28/kg.

This April 2019-born Limousin bullock weighed 575kg and sold for €1,160 (€2.02/kg). \ David Ruffles

The €2/kg mark and higher was hit on a number of occasions for the well-fed, fit-for-slaughter cattle.

This April 2019-born Charolais bullock weighed 600kg and sold for €1,280 (€2.13/kg). \ David Ruffles

As weights reduced below 600kg, prices of €2.30/kg were easily achievable for the top end of lots. One Limousin heifer weighing 535kg sold for €1,510 (€2.82/kg). Top pair of bullocks price per kilogramme was €2.49/kg for a pair of Charolais that weighed 502kg (€1,250).

This pair of Blue bullocks, born February 2019, weighed 612kg and sold for €1,180 (€1.93/kg). \ David Ruffles

Overall, Charolais cattle boasted the top average by breed with stock over 500kg at €2.17/kg, while Limousin stock were just behind this at €2.12/kg.

The sale also included a number of both weanling bulls and heifers.

This first prizewinning heifer was a June 2019-born Blue weighing 470kg that went unsold on the day. \ David Ruffles

This April 2018-born Hereford bullock weighed 630kg and sold for €1,300 (€2.06/kg). \ David Ruffles

Heifers dominated prices here ranging from €1.81/kg to €3.85/kg. Securing the top price was a first-prizewinning Blue heifer, which weighed 260kg and sold for €1,000. One Charolais heifer weighing 325kg sold for €990 (€3.05/kg).

This January 2020-born Charolais bull weighed 415kg and left the ring unsold. \ David Ruffles

In the bull weanlings, prices ranged from €1.60/kg to €2.94/kg. Securing the top price was a 170kg Limousin bull calf that sold for €500. Top price over the weight was a Charolais bull calf weighing 345kg that sold for €970 (€2.81/kg).

This first prizewinning Charolais bullock was born May 2018, weighed 910kg and also left unsold. \ David Ruffles

This January 2020-born Charolais bull weighed 430kg and sold for €990 (€2.30/kg). \ David Ruffles

A number of cull cow and suckler lots were also on offer, with a top price of €1,490 secured for a five-year-old Charolais cow that weighed 860kg (€1.73/kg).

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