Mart report: Cattle numbers ‘increasing weekly’ in Ballinrobe – Gibsey

Aurivo Ballinrobe Mart Report – Cattle Prices – 29-03-2023

According to Teresa Gibsey, assistant manager at Aurivo Ballinrobe Mart, “cattle numbers are increasing weekly” at the Mayo-based venue.

She reported that an “excellent” trade prevailed for heifers at Wednesday’s sale, while bullocks met with a “steady” trade.

Bullocks reached a high of €4.07 per kg, as prices varied from €820 to €2,020 per head or €1.94 to €4.07 per kg. The average for bullocks 400kg to 500kg stood at €2.70/kg.

Sample prices on the day were as follows:

•      AAX – 660KG – €2,020 – €3.06/KG;
•      LMX – 300KG – €1,220 – €4.07/KG;
•      CHX – 460KG – €1,580 – €3.43/KG;
•      CHX – 595KG – €1,940 – €3.26/KG.

Cull cows, sucklers and calves:

At Wednesday’s sale, cull cows changed hands from €600 to €2,470, with the best price going to a farmer from Lehinch, Hollymount, at €2.73/per kg with a 905kg Ch making €2,470.

Sucklers reached €2,000 per head for a Simmental-cross due next week to a Limousin bull.

Meanwhile, a selection of suck calves, mainly Friesian-cross and Hereford-cross types, pushed from €155 to €280 with an average of €180.

Heifers

A “good” turnout of heifers met with “good” demand, with prices from €1,000 to €2,040 per head or €2.48 to €4.06 per kg. The average for heifers 400 to 500kg was €3.11/kg & heifers 500kg plus levelled at €3.03/kg.

Prices on the day as follows:

•      CH – 635KG – €2,040 – €3.21/KG;
•      BBX – 360KG – €1,460 – €3.61/KG;
•      LMX – 480KG – €1,630 – €3.40/KG;
•      CHX – 355KG – €1,280 – €3.61/KG.

Weanling heifers sold from €600 to €1,440 per head or €2.26 to €3.64 per kg. The average for heifers 200 – 350kg was €3.00/kg.

Prices on the day were:

•      Chx – 410kg – €1,440 – €3.51/kg
•      Aax – 275kg – €1,000 – €3.64/kg
•      Lmx – 390kg – €1,360 – €3.49/kg
•      Lmx – 335kg – €1,070 – €3.19/kg

Weanling bulls made from €670 to €1,300 per head or €2.53 to €3.82 per kg. The average price for weanling bulls in the 200kg to 350kg weight bracket was €3.14/kg, an increase on last week’s average, according to Gibsey.

Sample prices in this ring:

•      Chx – 340kg – €1,300 – €3.82/Kg;
•      Hex – 350kg – €1,000 – €2.86/Kg;
•      Chx – 325kg – €1,120 – €3.45/Kg;
•      Chx – 335kg – €1,120 – €3.34/Kg.

Note:

• Calves – Special suck calf sales will take place in ring 3 for the month of April.
• Bullocks – Going forward, Aurivo Ballinrobe Mart’s continental bullock sales will run on the first and last Wednesday of each month and be sold directly after the cows. Special continental bullock sale on Wednesday, April 5^th, 2023 – Bookings on 094-9541140.

Mart information:

• Address: Aurivo Ballinrobe Mart, Claremorris Road, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo
• Sales: Weekly cattle sales on Wednesday at 11 am (subject to seasonal change) and weekly sheep sales on Thursdays
• Note: Pre-booking every Thursday and Friday from 9 am-1 pm for cattle sales.
• Contact details: Telephone: 094-9541140.

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Read more news from farming journalist, Catherina Cunnane