Balla Mart – cattle prices – 04-12-2021

According to Stephen Hannon, another large entry went under the hammer at Balla Mart’s special beef sale of bullocks, heifers and cull cows on Saturday, December 4^th, 2021.

The manager of Balla Mart and general mart of Aurivo Marts reported that bullocks reached €2,160, while heifers topped out at €2,910, springers peaked at €2,190 and cull cows sold to €2,110.

Balla Mart 04-12-2021: Bullock prices

Hannon reported that “trade for bullocks was better than the previous weeks, with prices up”.

“There were some smashing beef Charolais bullocks on offer at Saturday’s sale,” he remarked.

“Bullocks 300kg to 400kg averaged €2.42/kg. while those 400kg to 500kgs levelled at €2.52/kg and heavier bullocks 500kg + averaged €2.33/kg.”

“Heavy bullocks 700kg+ made up to €1,300 with the weight due to the presence of northern and factory buyers.”

“A farmer from Carramore, Claremorris, had a bullock, 765kg, born in June-2019, that made €2,160.00 or €2.82/kg.”

• CHX – 585kgs – €1,430;
• LMX – 545kgs – €1,230;
• BBX – 570kgs – €1,240;
• AAX – 555kgs – €1,120;
• LMX – 440kgs – €1,270;
• 2 FR – 467.50kgs – €750;
• 2 CHX – 502kgs – €1,270;
• SIX – 325kgs – €710;
• PIX – 495kgs – €950;
• LMX – 435kgs – €1,170;
• LMX – 530kgs – €1,330;
• FRX – 420kgs – €590;
• AAX – 620kgs – €1,250;
• CHX – 600kgs – €1,390;
• 1 CHX – 715kgs – €2,000;
• CHX – 725kgs – €2,010;
• 1 CHX – 675kgs – €1,440;
• LMX – 640kgs – €1,490;
• BBX – 570kgs – €1,190.

Heifer prices:

According to Hannon, some 300 heifers met with “an improvement” trade in ring two.

“Heifers up to 400 kg averaged €2.47/kg, while heifers 400kg to 500kg levelled at €2.42/kg and those 500kg were well up, averaging 2.33p/kg.”  “There was a 355kg breeding heifer that made €1,760.00 or €4.96/kg.”

“There was another smashing heavy 705kg Charolais-cross heifer born in April-2019 that made €2,910.00 or €2.71/kg. A Ballydrum, Swinford farmer offered her for sale.”

• CHX – 520kgs – €1,250;
• BBX – 535kgs – €1,130;
• LMX – 430kgs – €1,100;
• CHX – 705kgs – €1,910 (non-QA 32-months);
• SI – 610kgs – €1,380;
• LMX – 480kgs – €1,080;
• AAX – 615kgs – €1,290 (QA, 32-months);
• LMX – 540kgs – €1,420;
• CHX – 540kgs – €1,420;
• SHX – 375KGS – €890;
• LMX – 630kgs – €1,570;
• CHX – 680kgs – €1,890;
• SIX – 635kgs – €1,490;
• LMX – 405kgs – €1,120;
• 1 LMX – 540kgs – €1,320;
• LMX – 500kgs – €1,070;
• STX – 375kgs – €890;
• CHX – 690kgs – €1,640;
• 1 CHX – 625kgs – €1,640;
• CHX – 515kgs – €1,260;
• BBX – 585kgs – €1,520 (31-months, QA, 3 owners).

Dry cow prices

Meanwhile, he reported that northern and factory buyers also made their presence felt in the cull cow ring.

Topping the price list was an 880kg LMX born in April-2012 that made €2,110; she was offered for sale by a Tavneena, Charlestown farmer.

• SIX – 670kgs – €1,280;
• SA – 720kgs – €1,470;
• SH – 765kgs – €1,490;
• BAX – 690kgs – €1,350;
• HEX – 715kgs – €1,290;
• MOX – 555kgs – €640;
• SHX – 935kgs – €1,990;
• SIX – 775kgs – €1,300;
• AAX – 610kgs – €1,480;
• AA – 825kgs – €1,760;
• FR – 620kgs – €660;
• FRX – 6454kgs – €950;
• LM – 775kgs – €1,660;
• PTX – 720kgs – €1,490;
• BBX – 600kgs – €910;
• CHX – 805kgs – €1,900;
• SAX – 715kgs – €1,480.

Other categories:

Springers topped at €2,180: a price that was paid for a 655KG entry at €2,180.00 with its time up on December 27th to ZAG.

“Weanling bulls 200 to 350kg averaged 2.50pk, while 350kg to 450kg averaged 2.43/kg.”

“Bulls 450kg+ averaged €2.14/kg, the best a bull sold by a Killala farmer weighing 480kg that made €1,010.”

“Heifer weanlings 200 to 350kg averaged 2.57/kg, while 350 to 450kg levelled at €2.50/kg and 450kg+ averaged €2.31/kg with the weight.”

“The best heifer weanling, a BBX 350kg, made €1,200 at €3.43/kg sold by a farmer from Ballymoney, Dunmore,” Hannon concluded.

Balla Mart information:

• Address: Aurivo Balla Mart, Carrowntober, Oughter, Co. Mayo
• Contact information: Phone: 094-9365068 or see Aurivo’s website.
• Sale days: Weanlings: Tuesdays (Subject to change). Bullocks, heifers, cull cows, sucklers, and stock bulls on Saturdays with rings as follows:
• 1: Bullocks at 10:30 am Saturday – ringside and online.
• 2: Heifers at 10:30 am Saturday – ringside and online
• 3: Dry Cows/breeding bulls & springers at 11 am – ringside and online.

Upcoming sale:

• Saturday, December 11^th, 2021: Final round-up sale of 2021.

Further reading

That’s Farming previously profiled Stephen Hannon, general manager of Aurivo Marts and manager of Balla Mart – Read this article with Stephen Hannon.

Mart reports

Read more mart reports (cattle and sheep prices) on That’s Farming.