Prices up at Mayo mart this week

THERE was a lot of good quality stock that farmers are looking for at Balla Mart on Saturday, and prices were well up on last week with a lot of farmers hoping things have stabilised with the Brazilian beef ban.

A quarter of the bullocks were factory cattle weighing over 600kg. One strong Charolais bullock sold by a Westport farmer, weighing 837kg, made €3,400 for further feeding.

Averages were well up: bullocks 300kg to 400kg averaged €4.42/kg; bullocks 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.19/kg; bullocks 500kg plus averaged €3.92/kg.

Top prices in the bullocks included:

315kg CHX €1,740 (€5.52/kg)

440kg LMX €2,320 (€5.27/kg)

510kg CHX €2,720 (€5.33/kg)

680kg CHX €2,860 (€4.21/kg)

785kg SIX €3,040 (€3.87/kg)

837kg CHX €3,400 (€4.06/kg)

890kg CHX €3,380 (€3.80/kg)

This week there was 250 lots of heifers on offer - 50 lots more than last week, with better heifers this week.

One huge Limousin heifer born March ’24 and weighing 830kg was bought for €3,380 (€4.07/kg) by a northern factory buyer.

Heifers 300kg to 400kg averaged €3.76/kg; heifers 400kg to 500kg averaged €4.06/kg; heifers 500kg plus averaged €3.94/kg.

Top prices in the heifers included:

210kg LMX €1,180 (€5.62/kg)

380kg CHX €1,880 (€4.95/kg)

445kg LMX €2,500 (€5.62/kg)

525kg LMX €3,000 (€5.71/kg)

A number of dry cows made in excess of €3,000, with one 970kg Charolais dry cow sold for €3,530 by a farmer from Charlestown.

An August ‘20 born BBX cow with a bull calf at foot made €6,300 for a Knock farmer.

Saturday, September 12, will be the next sale with booking this Wednesday on 0818 301 401.

Weanling sales are taking place on Tuesdays.

SPECIAL BREEDING HEIFER SALE

A special breeding heifer sale will take place at Balla Mart on Friday evening, September 18, at 5.30 p.m. A scanning cert is required that heifers are correct for breeding.

Booking is on Thursday, September 10, from 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 0818 301 401.