The Louth and Meath-based Tateetra and Rathmore Farm held its inaugural weanling and yearling heifer sale in Carnaross Mart, Co Meath, on Saturday.

The farm, which was established in 1960 and is managed by John Kingham, has a herd of 480 suckler cows and heifers running across a total of 1,000ac.

Saturday’s sale featured 70 exceptional quality, continental-bred females born between October 2018 and April 2019. Included in this was a selection of halter trained, show-type heifers.

Show-types

The sale-topping price of €3,500 went to lot 42A. The stylish Limousin-cross show heifer, which has just turned one year old, sent a buzz of excitement around the ring when auctioneer Larry Gilligan dropped the gavel.

This Limousin cross halter-trained show heifer born October 2018 sold for €3,500.

Other noteable prices for show types were €2,220 for another year-old Limousin-cross and €2,000 for a 235kg Limousin-cross calf.

This Limousin cross halter-trained show heifer born October 2018 sold for €2,220.

This Limousin cross heifer born April 2019 and weighing 235kg sold for €2,000.

This Limousin cross halter-trained show heifer born February 2019 and weighing 235kg sold for €2,000.

This Limousin cross halter-trained show heifer born October 2018 sold for €1,750.

Breeding potential

This Simmental cross heifer born January 2019 and weighing 325kg sold for €2,000 (€6.15/kg).

Following on from the show heifers, almost all of the remaining heifers could have been described as having exceptional replacement potential.

This Simmental cross heifer born March 2019 and weighing 350kg sold for €1,500 (€4.29/kg).

This Simmental cross heifer born January 2019 and weighing 365kg sold for €1,470 (€4.03/kg).

Overall, heifers ranged from €700 up to a massive €2,320 per head, with a more telling range of about €950 to €1,200 for a good-quality heifer with plenty of breeding potential.

This Limousin cross heifer born December 2018 and weighing 340kg sold for €1,170 (€3.44/kg).

This Limousin cross heifer born October 2018 and weighing 455kg sold for €1,150 (€2.53/kg).

This Limousin cross heifer, born September 2018 and weighing 395kg sold for €950 (€2.40/kg).

Some standout prices included:

  • €2,320 for a November-born, Limousin-cross heifer weighing 435kg (€5.33/kg).
  • €2,000 for a January-born, Simmental-cross heifer weighing 325kg (€6.15/kg).
  • €1,800 for an October-born, Limousin-cross heifer weighing 330kg (€5.45/kg).
  • €1,720 for an October-born, Limousin-cross heifer weighing 395kg (€4.35/kg).
  • €1,500 for an November-born, Limousin-cross heifer weighing 380kg (€3.95/kg).
  • €1,500 for a March-born, Simmental-cross heifer weighing 350kg (€4.29/kg).

    • This Simmental cross heifer born November 2018 and weighing 420kg sold for €1,050 (€2.50/kg).

    This Simmental cross heifer born November 2018 and weighing 360kg sold for €1,000 (€2.78/kg).

    This Limousin cross heifer born October 2018 and weighing 465kg sold for €950 (€2.04/kg).

    This Simmental cross heifer born November 2018 and weighing 385kg sold for €920 (€2.39/kg).

    This Speckled Park heifer born January 2019 and weighing 315kg sold for €700 (€2.22/kg).

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