The general sheep sale saw another flying trade for all types of hoggets. Butcher and factory agent demand resulted in some very strong prices. Hoggets over 50kg sold mainly from €137/head to €143/head or from €2.40/kg to €2.75/kg, with average prices running at €139/kg.

This pen of 22 hoggets weighing 57kg on average sold for €143 each (€2.51/kg).

This pen of 22 hoggets weighing 57kg on average sold for €143 each (€2.51/kg).

This pen of 13 hoggets weighing 43.5kg on average sold for €115 each (€2.64/kg).

This pen of 13 hoggets weighing 43.5kg on average sold for €115 each (€2.64/kg).

Those from 47kg to 49kg sold mainly from €118/head to €129/head or from €2.50/kg to €2.69/kg, while prices averaged at €125/head. Those from 42kg to 44.5kg sold mainly from €106/head to €117/head or from €2.46/kg to €2.66/kg, with prices averaging at €110/head. Store hoggets from 35kg to 40kg were a solid trade but numbers on offer were small. They sold mainly from €80 to €82/head.

This pen of 11 hoggets weighing 49kg on average sold for €128 each (€2.61/kg).

This pen of 11 hoggets weighing 49kg on average sold for €128 each (€2.61/kg).

Heifers

The heifer ring saw a strong trade, with plenty of farmers and agents active for various quality types. Weanling heifers under 300kg sold mainly from €650 to €860, with the lower end of the prices paid for plainer types. Demand for better-quality light heifers was very strong, with better-quality heifers selling mainly from €750/head to over €850/head.

Weanling heifers from 300kg to 400kg were a flying trade where the quality on offer was good. There were some plainer types on offer also, and the trade for these was still quite good. Plainer heifers sold from €700 and upwards while good-quality R grade and R+ grade heifers sold mainly from €800 to €900, with some top-quality types making over €1,000/head.

Demand for store heifers was strong also, with plenty of buyers active. Those from 400kg to 450kg were met with strong grass buyer demand. Prices of these ranged mainly from €1,050/head to €1,200/head, with top-quality heifers under 450kg selling from €1,200 to over €1,400/head.

This Charolais cross heifer born April 2017 and weighing 340kg sold for €945 (€2.78/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer born April 2017 and weighing 340kg sold for €945 (€2.78/kg).

This Limousin cross heifer born July 2017 and weighing 260kg sold for €860 (€3.31/kg).

This Limousin cross heifer born July 2017 and weighing 260kg sold for €860 (€3.31/kg).

This Parthenaise cross heifer born March 2017 and weighing 355kg sold for €820 (€2.31/kg).

This Parthenaise cross heifer born March 2017 and weighing 355kg sold for €820 (€2.31/kg).

This Angus cross five-star heifer born April 2017 and weighing 265kg sold for €650 (€2.45/kg).

This Angus cross five-star heifer born April 2017 and weighing 265kg sold for €650 (€2.45/kg).

This Charolais cross five-star heifer born April 2017 and weighing 310kg sold for €950 (€3.06/kg).

This Charolais cross five-star heifer born April 2017 and weighing 310kg sold for €950 (€3.06/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer born April 2017 and weighing 415kg sold for €1,045 (€2.52/kg).

This Charolais cross heifer born April 2017 and weighing 415kg sold for €1,045 (€2.52/kg).

This Hereford cross heifer born March 2017 and weighing 375kg sold for €840 (€2.24/kg).

This Hereford cross heifer born March 2017 and weighing 375kg sold for €840 (€2.24/kg).

This Limousin cross heifer born March 2017 and weighing 375kg sold for €1,065 (€2.84/kg).

This Limousin cross heifer born March 2017 and weighing 375kg sold for €1,065 (€2.84/kg).

For a full report on the show and sale see next week’s Irish Farmers Journal.

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