Good selection of cattle at Mayo Continental sale

THE end of month Continental sale at Balla Mart saw a long sitting, with over 1,030 lots, including around 500 lots of bullocks, with a wonderful selection.

Smaller stores were making great prices, with prices up due to extra buying for grass and the fine weather giving farmers encouragement.

There were 45 lots of bullocks over 600kg and anything weighing 730kg plus made over €3,000.

Average bullock prices were: 300kg to 400kg €4.84/kg - up 8 cent/kg; 400kg to 500kg €4.55/kg; 500kg plus €4.17/kg.

Top bullock prices included:

265kg CHX €1,900 (€7.17/kg)

370kg CHX €2,400 (€6.49/kg)

420kg CHX €2,540 (€6.05/kg)

690kg LMX €3,180 (€4.61/kg)

750kg CHX €3,320 (€4.43/kg)

There were just over 450 lots of heifers where one cracking Limousin - born April ’24 and weighing 635kg - was bought online for €3,980 from a Claremorris farmer.

Averages in the heifers were: 300kg to 400kg €4.52/kg; 400kg to 500kg €4.37/kg; 500kgs plus €4.16/kg.

Top prices in the heifers included:

295kg LMX €1,640 (€5.56/kg)

395kg CHX €2,280 (€5.77/kg)

440kg CHX €2,500 (€5.68/kg)

580kg LMX €3,020 (€5.21/kg)

635kg LMX €3,980 (€6.27/kg)

Dry cows 500kg plus this week averaged €3.56/kg.

Booking for next Saturday's sale is on Wednesday on 0818 301 401.

BALLINROBE MART

Ballinrobe Mart saw a larger entry of cattle this week.

Heifers fetched from €1,100 to €2,720 (€3.03 to €5.42 per kg). Heifers 500kg plus averaged €4.08/kg or €2,265/head, with a top of €4.08/kg. Those 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.13/kg or €1,855/head, with a top of €5.35/kg. And heifers 300kg to 400kg averaged €3.99/kg or €1,370/head, with a top of €5.42/kg.

Top heifer prices included: CHX, 605kg, €2,720; LMX, 520kg, €2,520; LMX, 495kg, €2,500; LMX, 445kg, €2,380; LMX, 395kg, €2,140; CHX, 470kg, €2,310; CHX, 385kg, €1,760; AAX, 260kg, €1,400; AAX, 265kg, €1,380; AAX, 255kg, €1,380; AAX, 235kg, €1,220.

Bullocks made from €1,020 to €2,660, or €3.20 to €6.09 per kg. Bullocks 500kg plus averaged €3.84/kg or €2,190/head, with a top of €5.08/kg. Stock 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.05/kg or €1,820/head, with a top of €5.30/kg. And those 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.83/kg or €1,650/head, with a top of €6.09/kg.

Top bullock prices: CHX, 555kg, €2,660; AAX, 770kg, €2,650; CHX, 520kg, €2,640; CHX, 470kg, €2,420; CHX, 400kg, €2,120; CHX, 355kg €2,120; LMX, 325kg, €1,980; LMX, 315kg, €1,820; LMX, 270kg, €1,540.

Dry cows ranged from €1,560 to €3,220 per head, with an average of €2,362/head or €3.36/kg.

Suckler cows ranged from €2,100 to €3,360 for a PB SH cow with a LMX heifer calf at foot.

Weanling bulls 200kg to 350kg averaged €4.39/kg or €1,185/head, with a high of €6.19/kg or €1,880. Bulls 350kg to 450kg averaged €3.89/kg or €690/head, with a high of €5.41/kg or €1,000.

Thursday's sheep sale saw a full clearance, with an excellent day in the sheep ring.

Spring lambs ranged from €3.85/kg to €4.73/kg with a max price per head of €220.

Hoggets: €2.55 - €4.07/kg, average €3.70/kg | per head €80 - €220, average €160.

Sheep: €1.10 - €3.10/kg, average €2.22/kg | per head €44 - €282, average €155.

There was a large entry of ewes with lambs at foot, with prices ranging from €100 to €420.

Sample prices included: third crop 2 ewes and 4 lambs, €420 per unit; second crop Ewe with one lamb €310 per unit; hogget with two lambs €315 per unit.

Cattle and sheep are wanted weekly for customers.

An organic sale takes place on the third Wednesday of every month.

For more, call (094) 9541140.