The cancellation of regional shows and winter fairs has not dampened farmer appetite for cattle with show potential. This was very evident at Friday night's special sale in Carnaross where Tateetra and Rathmore Farms presented 150 commercially-bred heifers for sale.

The entry included over 20 halter-trained show-type heifers with the best of these generating huge competition and a flurry of bidding. The top-priced heifer on the night was a 320kg Limousin cross heifer born 18 December 2019 which sold for €4,100 or a massive €12.84/kg.

The top-priced heifer was this roan-coloured Limousin cross heifer weighing 320kg which sold for €4,100 (€12.84/kg).

The well-conformed heifer with a roan coat was purchased by Roscommon native Martin O’Connor who holds an annual sale of in-calf heifers each year in Elphin. The heifer in question was actually born to the top-priced heifer in last year’s sale which was purchased by Tateetra and Rathmore Farms for €5,000.

There were four more heifers which sold for in excess of €3,000. The second-highest price of €3,700 (€8.41/kg) was paid for a 440kg well-muscled Limousin cross heifer. There was a significant number of Shorthorn cross heifers on offer and the third-highest priced heifer was a white October 2019-born heifer weighing 425kg which sold for €3,340 (€7.86/kg).

This well-muscled and halter-trained Shorthorn cross heifer weighing 425kg and born 21/10/19 sold for €3,340 (€7.86/kg).

The next two top priced heifers were €3,200 paid for a 365kg red Limousin heifer (€7.79/kg) and €3,000 paid for a blood red Shorthorn heifer. There were 11 heifers sold between €2,000 and €2,999 with this batch averaging €2,328 per head and €5.63/kg. These were mainly stronger autumn-2019 born heifers with the batch weighing 422kg on average. Nine of these were Limousin cross heifers along with one Shorthorn cross and one Simmental cross heifer.

There were another 14 heifers sold between €1,500 and €1,999 but many of these were lighter spring-born heifers meaning the average price per kilo of €5.09/kg was not as far back as expected. The breed make-up of this batch was more variable with seven Limousin cross heifers, three Simmental crosses, two Shorthorn cross, a Charolais cross and the only Belgian Blue heifer on offer.

There was also an excellent trade for a selection of light January to March-born show-type heifers, many of which weighed between 260kg and 300kg and sold for an average of €4.47/kg.

This top-quality Charolais heifer born 03/02/20 and weighing 330kg sold for €1,880 (€5.70/kg).

Commercial trade

The vibrant trade for show-type heifers lifted the trade for commercial-type heifers with many heifers selling anywhere from €100 to €250 higher than they would have if presented in a general cattle sale. There were 59 heifers which sold between €3/kg and €4/kg and achieved an average of €3.40/kg. There were a further 38 heifers ranging in price from €2.50/kg and €2.99/kg while just 14 lots sold below €2.50/kg and an average of €2.30/kg.

The average weight of the 150 heifers traded was 354kg while the average price per head achieved was €1,316 at an average of €3.73/kg.