The in-calf heifer trade has seen a strong few weeks, especially in the west.

Elphin in particular has had a few great few weeks of sales of replacement suckler stock. It’s become the go-to town for in-calf heifers, with great demand from both commercial and specialist fatstock producers for the right type of stock. Friday night saw 115 heifers, the property of Galway farmers Pat Dillon and Tom Corbett, go through the ring. Heifers were all handpicked in marts and on farms around the country. Most were spring 2019-born Limousin and Simmental crosses, with a few Belgian Blue heifers scattered through them.

Marts have had an anxious few days with new COVID-19 restrictions being in place banning farmers from entering sales rings when sales are being completed. This has worked in some marts but in others it has put huge pressure on poor broadband coverage, leading to a lot of frustration.

Despite the restrictions, trade in Elphin was on fire, with several heifers crossing the €3,000 barrier. Auctioneer Tom Cox was all on his own, with 100% of bids coming from online. It didn’t seem to be much of a problem though, with a solid trade the whole way through the sale. The average price for heifers on the night was €1,944, with five heifers making over €3,000, 31 heifers making between €2,000 and €3,000 and the remaining 79 heifers making between €1,360 and €2,000, with a 100% clearance.

This spring 2019-born Limousin heifer sold for €1920. \ Tricia Kennedy

This spring 2019-born heifer sold for €2,550. \ Tricia Kennedy

This spring 2019-born roan heifer sold for €3,500. \ Tricia Kennedy

Top price went to a March 2019-born Limousin heifer weighing 600kg. After a marathon online bidding session, she was knocked down at €3,700. Joining her at €3,700 was another March 2019-born blue grey Belgian Blue heifer weighing 570kg. Next best price was €3,600 going to another March 2019-born Limousin heifer weighing 590kg. A number of in-calf heifer producers were very active on the night.

Commenting after the sale, auctioneer Tom Cox said: “It was as good a trade for bulling heifers as I seen in a while. There’s serious demand out there for good stock. I don’t know whether they are getting scarce or what but farmers are willing to go that extra bit this year for the good one. They were a great batch of heifers and a credit to the two farmers that brought them out. It’s great to see good stock selling well.”