Despite the recent exporter boycott announcement, this week’s weanling sale delivered a strong performance, with prices holding firm and buyer activity remaining robust at the annual show and sale of heifer weanlings at Manorhamilton mart in north Leitrim.
Notably, exporters were still present at the ringside, actively sourcing quality lots. The strength of the trade was evident across all weight categories, with farmer buyers and feedlot operators competing alongside exporters.
Speaking after the sale Mart Manager Wilfred Moffitt said “Trade has been very strong for the 200 heifers offered here today. The boycott doesn't seem to have any effect on the trade. A lot of interested farmers and shippers are here today.”
Wilfred said “I haven't heard much about the boycott, only from what I have read, but on the ground, there's no difference in the trade – it's still going very strong.”
The top price paid per kilo was for a 370kg Belgian blue heifer at €8.65/kg (€3,200). The next top price was a 500kg Charolais heifer, which sold for €3,920 (€7.84/kg) with both bought by local farmers.
This third prize winning Charolais-cross heifer born November 2024 and weighing 490kg sold for €2,800 (€5.71/kg).
Exporters actively buying
A representative from Anglo East Limited was actively sourcing weanlings at the sale, maintaining a visible presence despite recent announcements. The spokesperson said; “Suckler farmers in Ireland are doing an exceptional job. These farmers have been through a difficult period over the last number of years.”
“Now, with weanling prices reaching record highs, it’s crucial that exporters support them rather than withdraw at such a critical point in the season.”
“This should have been organised last February or March, giving farmers time to adjust vaccination programmes and access supports through grant schemes. I strongly advise that all farmers wean and dose their calves at least three weeks before preparing them for sale.”
“Customers overseas continue to express strong satisfaction with the quality of Irish weanlings received from exporters to date. Manorhamilton mart have built a solid reputation for consistently supplying top-tier weanlings, many of which are AI-bred with generations of proven AI genetics behind them”.
Upcoming sales
The second annual SIS hill multi-breed ram sale is set to take place this Friday 10 October at 7pm. Approximately 250 lots will be on offer and sold across two rings on the night.
Looking ahead, a special heifer sale of is scheduled for next Monday, 13 October, featuring a special entry of 35 continental heifers. This is followed by a bullock sale on 20 October and a special bank holiday sale on 27 October.
This third prize winning Charolais-cross heifer born February 2025 and weighing 410kg sold for €2,480 (€6.05/kg).
Despite the recent exporter boycott announcement, this week’s weanling sale delivered a strong performance, with prices holding firm and buyer activity remaining robust at the annual show and sale of heifer weanlings at Manorhamilton mart in north Leitrim.
Notably, exporters were still present at the ringside, actively sourcing quality lots. The strength of the trade was evident across all weight categories, with farmer buyers and feedlot operators competing alongside exporters.
Speaking after the sale Mart Manager Wilfred Moffitt said “Trade has been very strong for the 200 heifers offered here today. The boycott doesn't seem to have any effect on the trade. A lot of interested farmers and shippers are here today.”
Wilfred said “I haven't heard much about the boycott, only from what I have read, but on the ground, there's no difference in the trade – it's still going very strong.”
The top price paid per kilo was for a 370kg Belgian blue heifer at €8.65/kg (€3,200). The next top price was a 500kg Charolais heifer, which sold for €3,920 (€7.84/kg) with both bought by local farmers.
This third prize winning Charolais-cross heifer born November 2024 and weighing 490kg sold for €2,800 (€5.71/kg).
Exporters actively buying
A representative from Anglo East Limited was actively sourcing weanlings at the sale, maintaining a visible presence despite recent announcements. The spokesperson said; “Suckler farmers in Ireland are doing an exceptional job. These farmers have been through a difficult period over the last number of years.”
“Now, with weanling prices reaching record highs, it’s crucial that exporters support them rather than withdraw at such a critical point in the season.”
“This should have been organised last February or March, giving farmers time to adjust vaccination programmes and access supports through grant schemes. I strongly advise that all farmers wean and dose their calves at least three weeks before preparing them for sale.”
“Customers overseas continue to express strong satisfaction with the quality of Irish weanlings received from exporters to date. Manorhamilton mart have built a solid reputation for consistently supplying top-tier weanlings, many of which are AI-bred with generations of proven AI genetics behind them”.
Upcoming sales
The second annual SIS hill multi-breed ram sale is set to take place this Friday 10 October at 7pm. Approximately 250 lots will be on offer and sold across two rings on the night.
Looking ahead, a special heifer sale of is scheduled for next Monday, 13 October, featuring a special entry of 35 continental heifers. This is followed by a bullock sale on 20 October and a special bank holiday sale on 27 October.
This third prize winning Charolais-cross heifer born February 2025 and weighing 410kg sold for €2,480 (€6.05/kg).
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