The Irish Simmental Cattle Society says its most recent sale confirms “the continued demand for Simmental breeding heifers in the suckler herd”.
Entries reached €2,120 at its Simmental-cross breeding heifer sale, which at Roscommon Mart on Wednesday, May 12th, 2021.
The top call was paid for an April-2019-born heifer, due in November to an AI. Simmental bull. This heifer was sold by Geraldine Callan, Callicklane, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan.
Maiden heifers
The main attraction of the evening was the maiden heifer section, and here there was a top price of €1980 for a 455kg heifer.
Patrick & Nigel Hogan, Bennekerry, Co. Carlow sold this 13-month-old heifer, a daughter of their stockbull, Heathbrow Himalaya 1, for €4.35 / kg.
Next best of the Hogan’s was €1,610 for a 410 kg (€3.93 /kg) for another April-2020-born heifer. In total, the Hogan, sold 10 heifers, all sired by the stockbull to average €3.25/kg.
Besides, climbing to €1,700 was a February-2020 born heifer for Danny O’Connell, Ballydangan, Athlone.
This heifer weighed 465kgs (€3.66 / kg) and was out of his stockbull Tulla Joker P. In total, he sold 7 January / February-2020-born heifers, which were fully genotyped, to an average price of €3.03/kg.
High demand for quality breeding heifers
A spokesperson for the Irish Simmental Cattle Society, said: “The trade for the maiden heifers remained very steady throughout with €3.00 / kg featuring regularly.”
“The high demand for quality breeding heifers continued. This was the 10th year of this specially organized sale by the Simmental Society and sees repeat buyers turning up to purchase quality heifers.”
“In summary, there was an 85% clearance of the 113 heifers entered. The Simmental Society would like to thank all exhibitors who offered heifers for sale on Wednesday evening and wish all purchasers the very best of luck with the animals,” the spokesperson concluded.
