Awesome trade for suckled calves at Armoy

Last Thursday 2 October saw the annual show and sale of Charolais suckled calves at Armoy Mart.

With 501 quality lots entered, auctioneer Kevin Reavey kept things moving at a Joey Dunlop-like pace.

In the show, Gerard McCambridge, Ballyvoy, took first and second in the bullock class. Both animals were born in April, with the first weighing 360kg and making £2,580, 716p/kg and the second weighing 345kg and selling for £2,800, 811p/kg. That price was the third highest of the day.

In the heifer class, first went to Colm and Johnathan McErlain, Armoy, for a January-born animal, weighing 450kg.

The heifer went on to secure the top price of the day at £3,120, 693p/kg, reflecting both a quality animal and a good judge.

Second in the heifer class went to Jimmy Delargy, Cushendall, for another quality January-born Charolais animal.

In the main sale, the second-highest price of the day was the £2,820 paid for a January-born male at 460kg, 613p/kg.

Average price across the sale was £1,871, with the majority of lots weighing between 350kg and 450kg making 500 to 600p/kg. As a result, £2,000 per head was regularly reached.

Commenting, mart manager, Daniel McAlister noted that only 5% of the winning bids were made online – compared to 25-30% at other weekly sales.

“Most of the customers were in attendance to see the quality on offer,” he said.