Confidence seems to be riding high in the suckler sector, with a few exceptional sales of in-calf heifers across the border region and the west in recent weeks. A number of farmers have gone down the road of buying in maiden heifers, keeping them 12 months and selling them on as in-calf heifers. It’s a recipe that appears to be working for most. Monday night’s sale in Carrigallen included the much anticipated selection of 30 in calf heifers from local farmer Herbie Griffith.

The majority of the heifers on offer were born in spring 2018 and were all purchased in as maiden heifers. Most of the heifers were in-calf to Limouisn AI sires, with the remainder in calf to an easy calving Limousin bull.

This batch of in-calf heifers averaged just over €2,500 on the night, with the top price of the night going to a March 2018-born Aberdeen Angus x Belgium Blue who is in calf to EBY, selling for €3,900. The next highest call went to an April 2018-born Belgium Blue heifer in calf to ZGM, selling for €3,550. Eight heifers made €3,000 and above.