Central Auctions hosted the first of its autumn weanling sales last week at Roscrea Mart with strong demand throughout the sections. Mart manager Michael Harty said the special sale, which hosted a pre-sale show, was “flying throughout”.

Martbids data shows that weanling bulls and heifer averaged between €2.40/kg and €2.50/kg. This increased substantially for the top third of lots which seen average fall above the €2.80/kg mark.

Winner of the heifer class was a Belgian Blue heifer from Gordan Pearson. Born in December she weighed 325kg and sold for €1,140 (€3.51/kg). Pictured are Michael Harty (Manager), Thomas Fitzgerald (Judge) Joe Pearson, Nicholas Bergin (Judge), Noel Grady and Elizabeth Pearson.

Trade for weanling bulls peaked at €3.90/kg for a December-born Belgian Blue weighing 350kg that came into €1,365. This bull stood first in the pre-sale bull class. Bred by Gordan Pearson, the second prize-winner from the same stable came into €1,330. Another Belgian Blue-sired calf born in December, he weighed 385kg and made €3.45/kg.

The first prize-winner in the female section also came from Gordan Pearson. This December 2019-born Blue heifer weighed 325kg and sold for the top price of €3.51/kg or €1,140.

In the heifer class both the second and third prize-winners came from Denis Peters. These two Blonde heifers sold for €3.19/kg and €3.10/kg. Pictured are Thomas Fitzgerald (Judge) Nicholas Bergin (Judge) Michael Harty ( Manager) and breeder Denis Peters.

The second- and third-prize winners from that class came from Denis Peters. These two September-born Blonde D’Quitaine heifers weighed 400kg and 385kg and sold for €3.19/kg and €3.10/kg respectively.

In total, over 220 weanlings were offered on the day with nearly a 100% clearance.

Roscrea will now host a weanling sale every Wednesday.

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