Farmers out in force in Manorhamilton

A serious entry of quality heifers was on offer at the annual show and sale of heifer weanlings at Manorhamilton Mart on Monday.

Exporters and buyers sourcing future breeding heifers possibly capable of breeding show-type animals drove the trade, with some exceptional prices being paid for the top-quality weanlings in the sale.

Top quality weanlings in the 300kg to 400kg weight bracket were coming in at €6.20€6.80/kg, with a few exceptional lots crossing the €7/kg mark, and the overall champion selling for €8.65/kg.

The general run of good R-grade Limousin and Charolais heifer weanlings in this weight bracket averaged €5.60/kg, with a small number of plainer, aged types selling in the region of €4.50/kg to €4.80/kg

Lighter heifers weighing 200kg to 300kg averaged €5.93/kg. On average, these heifers were securing more per kilo in comparison to the heavier lots on offer, meeting strong demand on the day. An exceptional Belgian blue-cross heifer, born March 2025 and weighing 280kg, sold for €7.54/kg (€2,110).Due to the heifer show and sale, there was a smaller entry of bull weanlings on offer. However, these calves were still met with high demand around the ring from buyers.

Two exceptional bull weanlings crossed the €7/kg bracket. Topping the bull weanling section was an exceptional February 2025-born roan Limousin-cross calf with show potential, weighing 368kg, which sold for €2,600 (€7.07kg). A 168kg Limousin-cross calf, born in May 2025, sold for €1,200 (€7.26/kg).

Current demand from buyers is focused on lighter bull calves at present. The average price achieved for calves under 300kg was €6.05/kg. Weanling bulls in the 300kg to 400kg bracket averaged €5.53/kg, while the few heavier lots over 400kg on offer at the sale averaged €4.66/kg.

Manorhamilton Mart’s Wilfred Moffitt said: “Trade has been very strong for the weanlings offered here today. The boycott doesn’t seem to have had any effect on the trade. A lot of interested farmers and shippers are here today.”

Future sales

The second annual SIS hill multi-breed ram sale is set to take place this Friday, 10 October, at 7pm. Approximately 250 lots will be on offer and sold across two rings on the night.

Looking ahead, a special heifer sale of is scheduled for next Monday, 13 October, featuring a special entry of 35 continental heifers.