Smaller sale at Mayo mart as countdown to Christmas break starts

BALLA Mart saw a smaller sale on Saturday, with just 900 cattle on offer. The wind down seems to be on as we approach Christmas, with only a few Saturday sales left - the final one is on December 12, reopening again on January 9.

Cattle this week were showing signs of the weather but there was still a good clearance. All averages dropped below €4/kg, as can be seen, especially with the older stronger bullocks bought by finishers. Some younger stores were making between €4.50 to €4.95/kg.

A farmer from Dunmore had a pen of quality bullocks weighing around 745kg that made up to €3,100 (€4/kg).

Bullocks 300kg to 400kg averaged €3.61/kg, bullocks 400kg to 500kg averaged €3.82/kg, and those 500kg plus averaged €3.75/kg.

Top prices in the bullocks included:

260kg AAX €1,000 (€3.85/kg)

395kg LMX €1,950 (€4.95/kg)

495kg CHX €2,260 (€4.57/kg)

580kg LMX €2,920 (€5.03/kg)

765kg CHX €3,100 (€4.05/kg)

It was the same story with the heifers, with all averages below €4/kg. A farmer from Knock had a cracking 755kg Charolais what made €3,160 (€4.19/kg) - going North for breeding.

Heifers 300kg to 400kg averaged €3.64/kg, heifers 400kg to 500kg averaged €3.95/kg, and those 500kg plus averaged €3.85/kg.

Top prices in the heifers included:

295kg CHX €1,120 (€3.80/kg)

395kg LMX €1,900 (€4.81/kg)

480kg SAX €2,600 (€5.42/kg)

595kg LMX €2,640 (€4.44/kg)

645kg CHX €2,800 (€4.34/kg)

755kg CHX €3,160 (€4.19/kg)

This week there were 220 cows, with dry cows 500kg plus making €3.07/kg.

A farmer from Westport had a June ’23 born PB Limousin cow that made €8,650.

The next sale is on Saturday, with booking on Wednesday on low call 0818 301 401.