Trade was “strong” at the Donegal Dexter Cattle Group’s inaugural show and sale at Raphoe Mart on Friday, November 18th, 2022.
That is according to a group spokesperson who told That’s Farming editor, Catherina Cunnane, that the “breed was in high demand”.
“Breeding cows and heifers were the most sought after, with stock bulls following closely on their hoofs. Heifer calves were in demand, and the bull calves held their own.”
Dexter cattle prices
The top price went to Desmond McFadden’s, lot 81, Screig Laura, with a bull calf at foot, and they sold for €1,800.
Close behind was Alywn Long’s first prize-winning stock bull, lot 3, Ballyboley Barney. Barney, the top-priced bull, sold to John Roarty, Glenties, for €1750.
Closely following in the bulls, Graham Moore’s bull, lot 4m Homeland Heath Juno, the sire of the butcher’s choice bullock, found a new home at €1650.
Patrick Carr’s junior bull, lot 6 Ballymacavanny Rua, secured a breeding home with Paul Farrell, Leitrim, at €960.
Meanwhile, the top-priced bull calf and the overall champion, Paul Farrell’s lot 33, Cloughergrange Simba, secured a home as a future breeding bull with Vincent Carr, Boeshill, when he went under the hammer for €1050.
The top-priced heifer calves were shared between Vincent Carrs lot 58, Boeshill Organic Flora and Dermot McGinty’s lot number 51, McGintys Cloghan, at €800.
The group spokesperson noted that bullock prices were “mixed”, but demand for the butcher’s choice, Graham Moore’s lot 67, secured €800 after selling to Ciaran’s Butchers.
The spokesperson noted:
“It was great to see so many people in attendance from all parts of Ireland, and the online bidding was strong.”
“Both Dexter cattle groups from Northern Ireland joined the bidding to secure some of the stock.”
“We would like to thank the staff from Raphoe Mart for keeping the sale running to perfection, to Minister Charlie McConalogue for attending and officially opening the sale and to all our sponsors,” the spokesperson concluded.
Dexters qualify for ACRES
During his opening address, Minister McConalogue told crowds that he “looks forward to seeing the breed grow more into the future”.
“It is wonderful to see our rare breeds actually becoming a lot less rare, and that is something we want to push on.”
In terms of the new ACRES scheme, the minister granted Dexter cattle category one prioritisation for access.
“That is helping to generate interest, and also, as people look at different ways of doing farming across the country and how to bring in to use a different type of land, the Dexter breed is being looked at as well, so good luck and well done to everyone here tonight.”
“It is great to see such a good turnout of both animals and buyers and sellers.”
“It is a sign of how the Dexter breed is regenerating right across the country,” the minister concluded.
Main image: Screengrab from video by Glenalla Photography
