Just 13 cattle went home unsold out of over 210 in attendance at the Elite commercial cattle sale in Stranorlar Livestock Mart over the weekend. As expected, trade was awesome at the two day event, as €10,000 was breached on three occasions. A strong northern trade really boosted demand, as 25% of the cattle sold went for export.
The first to cross the €10,000 mark and sell for the highest price of €12,000 was Pauric and Patrick Heraghty's stylish black heifer calf weighing 334kg. Born in April 2025, this super young heifer is sired by Delure De La Beole out of a Limousin cross cow sired by Lodge Hamlet.
James, Patrick, Eoin and Roisin McGonigle with their heifer calf which sold for €10,500. \ Swarber photography
The McGonagle family from Malin Head in Co Donegal were next in line at €10,500. This red heifer is a full sister to reserve senior commercial champion at Tullamore in August who sold at the same venue in 2024 for €12,000. A daughter of Claddagh McCabe out of a Belgian Blue cross cow, this September 2024-born breeding heifer weighed 532kg.
Red Ruby
Trading at €10,000 was Gerard Shields and Daniel O'Connor's all-Ireland breeding heifer champion, Ruby. This train of a red heifer captured many rosettes this summer and continued that fashion on Friday, claiming the supreme championship under judges Niall and Simone Maguire. Born in June 2023, the Elderberry Galahad daughter will now join a herd in Co Donegal.
Overall champion which sold for €10,000 shown by Gerard Shields and Daniel O'Connor, with judges Niall and Simone Maguire and Conor McVeigh of MCV competitions, sponsor.
Getting knocked down at €8,800 was another breeding heifer, this time from the herd of John Harkin in Co Donegal. Born in March 2024 and weighing 650kg, she is a daughter of Negrita Du Lac out of an Elderberry Galahad bred dam.
Dave Pearson from Co Laois made the journey north worthwhile when he received €8,600 for his March 2025-born heifer calf weighing 396kg. A daughter of Trueman Idol, her dam has produced calves to €18,000 in the past.
It was a great day for the Donegal men, as Danno Gallagher hit €8,500 with his 13-month-old 500kg heifer sired by Patissier De La Grande Rose out of an Angus cross cow, before John Harkin came under the spotlight once again, when he received the same price tag for his May 2024-born Belgian Blue cross heifer weighing 662kg.
Read all about the show and sale in this week's Irish Farmers Journal.
Just 13 cattle went home unsold out of over 210 in attendance at the Elite commercial cattle sale in Stranorlar Livestock Mart over the weekend. As expected, trade was awesome at the two day event, as €10,000 was breached on three occasions. A strong northern trade really boosted demand, as 25% of the cattle sold went for export.
The first to cross the €10,000 mark and sell for the highest price of €12,000 was Pauric and Patrick Heraghty's stylish black heifer calf weighing 334kg. Born in April 2025, this super young heifer is sired by Delure De La Beole out of a Limousin cross cow sired by Lodge Hamlet.
James, Patrick, Eoin and Roisin McGonigle with their heifer calf which sold for €10,500. \ Swarber photography
The McGonagle family from Malin Head in Co Donegal were next in line at €10,500. This red heifer is a full sister to reserve senior commercial champion at Tullamore in August who sold at the same venue in 2024 for €12,000. A daughter of Claddagh McCabe out of a Belgian Blue cross cow, this September 2024-born breeding heifer weighed 532kg.
Red Ruby
Trading at €10,000 was Gerard Shields and Daniel O'Connor's all-Ireland breeding heifer champion, Ruby. This train of a red heifer captured many rosettes this summer and continued that fashion on Friday, claiming the supreme championship under judges Niall and Simone Maguire. Born in June 2023, the Elderberry Galahad daughter will now join a herd in Co Donegal.
Overall champion which sold for €10,000 shown by Gerard Shields and Daniel O'Connor, with judges Niall and Simone Maguire and Conor McVeigh of MCV competitions, sponsor.
Getting knocked down at €8,800 was another breeding heifer, this time from the herd of John Harkin in Co Donegal. Born in March 2024 and weighing 650kg, she is a daughter of Negrita Du Lac out of an Elderberry Galahad bred dam.
Dave Pearson from Co Laois made the journey north worthwhile when he received €8,600 for his March 2025-born heifer calf weighing 396kg. A daughter of Trueman Idol, her dam has produced calves to €18,000 in the past.
It was a great day for the Donegal men, as Danno Gallagher hit €8,500 with his 13-month-old 500kg heifer sired by Patissier De La Grande Rose out of an Angus cross cow, before John Harkin came under the spotlight once again, when he received the same price tag for his May 2024-born Belgian Blue cross heifer weighing 662kg.
Read all about the show and sale in this week's Irish Farmers Journal.
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