Headford Mart Report – Annual Spring Show & Sale – 04-03-2023
“Prices were hot, matching the quality available on the day at Headford Livestock Mart last Saturday (March 4th, 2023),” according to a spokesperson for the cattle and sheep mart.
Prices reached €2,130 in the cull cow ring, while bullocks soared to €2,540, heifers shot to €2,640, and weanlings topped out at €1,890 at its annual spring show and sale, which it held in conjunction with its general weekly cattle sale.
Bullock prices:
Bullocks soared to a top call price of €3.50/Kg, with the top price paid to a Caherlistrane farmer with their CHX, 855Kg, at €2540/€2.97/kg (second prize for best single bullock of the day).
The prize for the best single bullock went to Cloughanover’s Aidan Bane for his smashing CHX, 755Kg, €2350, €3.11/Kg, and he also secured the rosette for the best pair of bullocks – CHX avg – 725Kg – €2240/€3.08/Kg.
Other prices in the bullock category included:
- LMX – 448Kg – €1570;
- LMX – 475Kg – €1560;
- BBX – 410Kg – €1240;
- AAX – 480Kg – €1400;
- CHX – 505Kg – €1690;
- CHX – 505Kg – €1560;
- SHX – 540Kg – €1440;
- SI – 585Kg – €1940;
- SIX – 555Kg – €1800;
- AAX – 625Kg – €2020;
- CHX – 755Kg – €2350;
- CHX – 6710Kg – €1980.
Cull cow prices:
The category-topping cull cow hailed from the yard of a Cloughanover farmer and took the form of a CHX, weighing 800Kg at €2180/€2.72Kg, while the highest price on a €/kg basis was clinched by a Winford farmer with their 640kg LM at €2,130 – €3.33/kg.
The first prize was awarded to Keith Wynne, with second place secured by Louis O’Connor.
Other prices in this ring included:
- LMX – 640Kg – €1840;
- SAX – 625Kg – €1700;
- AAX- 455Kg – €1240;
- LMX – 620Kg – €1620;
- HEX – 585Kg – €1200.
Heifer prices
In the aged heifer ring, Keith Wynne of Windford clinched first prize with his BBX, 555Kg, which later changed hands for €2640/€4.76/kg.
- LMX – 490Kg – €1690;
- AAX – 565Kg – €1600;
- CHX – 548Kg – €1730;
- AAX – 540Kg – €1630;
- HEX – 438Kg – €1140;
- LMX – 690Kg – €1680.
Weanlings
According to the spokesperson, weanlings improved even on the weanling special of the previous week last week with first prize here going to Brian McDonagh again for his BBX, 440Kg, €1890/€4.29/Kg.
The best heifer prize went to Sean McDonagh for his CHX 425Kg at €1460.
Spokesperson’s comments
Speaking following the sale, a spokesperson for the mart said:
“An impressive sale in Headford this week also celebrated the return of Joe Wynne to the mart.”
“While our spring show and sale was smaller than 2022, it definitely was a smasher of a day and marks the sand with the sign of a busy future for Headford farmers.”
“Special thanks to the judges, Ger McNamara and locals for cows, bullocks and heifers.”
“Thanks also to Martina Reilly, along with John Greaney, who judged weanlings on the day.”
“In the sheep yard, the top price of the day went to a Caherlistrane farmer for their pen of lambs at €150, which followed hot on trails by a Belclare farmer securing €145.”
“The sheep yard was the tip of the iceberg for the cattle yard, which hosted the annual spring show & sale in partnership with St. Jarlath’s Credit Union.”
“Paddy Fitzgerald Agri also joined in, sponsoring the prize for the weanling heifer.”
“This coming Saturday sees a return to ‘business as usual’ in Headford. To book in your stock, phone the mart’s office line on: 093 35572,” the spokesperson concluded.
Headford Mart information
- Address: Headford Co-Op Mart LTD, Balrickard, Headford, Co. Galway, Eircode: H91K7TH
- Contact details: 093-35572 or 093-35551
- Sale day: Saturdays – cattle sale at 11:00 am, sheep sale at 10:00 am – both of which can be accessed online with LSL (Livestock Live).
- Note: Weanling sale every Friday evening until mid-November. Booking is highly advisable for Friday and Saturday sales.
 from annual spring show and sale of cull cows, heifers, bullocks and weanlings at Headford Mart on 04-03-2023.){kind=link}