Friday night last saw Clogher Valley Livestock Mart host the 'Breeding Beauties' sale, where a strong demand for quality cattle was seen.

The sale was host to 60-plus super suckler outfits, with some maiden heifers also included.

The sale saw some of the highest prices fetched all spring in Clogher for suckler pairings, with a top price of £4,450 (€5,118) for a Limousin cow with a Limousin heifer calf at foot.

With the fatstock scene driving the commercial trade at the minute, it was clear that some of these buyers have their eye out for that special one to top a show and sale in the autumn or maybe for shows in the future as we slowly get back to normal after COVID-19.

Hope for shows

Speaking to some keen show men on the night, they were hopeful that shows in Northern Ireland may go ahead in September, with Balmoral being the main focus.

While there was a wide range between the top price (£4,450 or €5,118) and bottom (£1,850 or €2,127), the sale average for the suckler outfits sold was £2,550 (€2,933).

Serious demand

There is still serious demand for coloured roan cattle, with the top price being a roan-coloured outfit, while other roan-coloured cattle were all sold above the average for the sale.

The sale saw two purebred Aberdeen Angus cows and calves bred from the herd of retired Irish rugby player Rory Best sell for over £2,000 each.

The sale also included a purebred non-registered Belgian Blue bull calf along with his recipient dam, with this outfit selling for £2,650 (€3,048).

Maiden heifers

With 20 top-end maiden heifers going under the hammer, these saw a trade similar to other heifer sales, with colour leading the way once again, with some coloured heifers reaching £2,200/head (€2,558/head)

The top-priced heifer was a black Limousin at £3,050 (€3,510). The heifers saw an average price of £2,022 (€2,325).

“The sale saw a huge demand for show-type cattle,” according to mart manager Robert Simpson.

“With the prospect of some late shows with us it has driven the price of these cattle, as well as the hope for a buyer to get the special one for Allams 2021 or local shows in 2022,” he said.

This Breeding Beauties sale saw an almost-100% clearance rate, with an overall sale average of just under £2,300 (€2,645).

In pictures

This 2019-born Limousin heifer sold for £2,250 (€2,590).

This 2017-born Limousin heifer sold for £2,700 (€3,105).

This 2018-born Limousin cow with her Limousin bull calf at foot sold for £2,200 (€2,530).

This 2017-born Limousin cow with her Limousin heifer calf at foot sold for £3,000 (€3,450).

This 2017-born Limousin cow with her Limousin heifer calf at foot sold for £4,450 (€5,118).

This 2018-born Limousin cow with her Limousin heifer calf at foot sold for £2,900 (€3,335).

This 2018-born Salers cow with her Limousin bull calf at foot sold for £2,400 (€2,760).

This 2019-born Limousin heifer sold for £3,050 (€3,510).

This 2018-born Limousin cow with her Limousin calf at foot sold for £2,900 (€3,335).

This 2018-born purebred Belgian Blue heifer sold for £2,550 (€2,933),

This 2018-born Limousin cow with her Limousin calf at foot sold for £2,650 (€3,050).

This 2018-born Limousin cow with her Limousin heifer calf at foot sold for £4,200 (€4,830).

This 2017-born purebred Aberdeen Angus cow with her purebred Aberdeen Angus heifer calf sold for £2,000 (€2,300).