There were 150 lots of heifers on offer in the heifer weanling sale at Gortatlea Mart, Co Kerry. There was also 60 lots of bulls and runners available. It is strange to be talking about cattle coming out of sheds in early June but it’s a reality on the ground in Gortatlea’s catchment and a legacy of a difficult spring, according to manager Maurice Brosnan.

“Housed cattle are making from €2.40/kg up to €2.60/kg. They’re a little bit of a tougher trade than those that have been at grass. It was a good sale and it’s nice to see the suckler farmer making good money on quality stock. Numbers have been up a good bit compared to last year. We’re probably up a thousand head on 2017.”

This 465kg Charolais heifer, born July 2017, sold for €1,185 (€2.55/kg).

Continental heifers made up the majority of what was on offer on the night.

Really well conformed E and U+ grading heifers were freely making €3/kg. Many of these sold from €2.90/kg to as high as €3.30/kg.

Outside of this, heifers made from €320 to €865 with their weight or from €2.35/kg to €2.80/kg for the most part, with exceptions for well-muscled heifers and replacements.

This April 2016-born Limousin heifer, weighing 575kg, sold for €1,440 (€2.50/kg).

Breeding heifers were in strong demand, with one choice lot of six Limousin heifers weighing 380kg selling for €1,080 or €2.84/kg. Belgian Blue/ Friesian cross heifers sold from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg.

Commenting on the replacements, Maurice said: “There’s not a lot of notice taken of their stars.”

Commission rate is €12 to the seller and €10 to the buyer.

This well-confomed Limousin heifer, born May 2017 and weighing 335kg, sold for €1,040 (€3.11/kg).