The McAnenly family’s hotly-anticipated ‘Quality Breeds Quality’ annual in-calf heifer sale will return to Elphin Mart tomorrow night (Friday, October 8th, 2021).
Mableview Farm, spanning 120-acres in Emyvale, Co Monaghan, will offer 56 “top-quality” high-end commercial in-calf heifers for sale at 7 pm sharp.
The family has been specialising in producing in-calf heifers for over fifteen years and held their first mart sale seven years ago. Before this, they sold most of their heifers off-farm to customers across Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Quality Breeds Quality sale
Speaking to That’s Farming, John said: “Firstly, our belief is that quality breeds quality.”
“Our heifers have power, shape, style, width and good maternal traits. There is no point having all the other traits without having maternal abilities coming through too.”
“Besides, heifers have colour and breeding to match. We are trying to produce a heifer that has the capabilities of producing that top-priced weanling or even a show calf.”
“There are more and more suckler farmers going down this route and choosing quality over quantity. Buyers return to Elphin Mart year on year for our in-calf heifers to breed top-end progeny.”
Due 15/02/2022 to LM Cavelands Jolly stock sire.
John explained that there are heifers to “suit all systems at this sale – from top-muscled roans, Belgian Blues and black Limousins to produce a show calf to powerful, straight red Limousin and Simmental springers suitable for a Charolais bull”.
Some heifers are AI’d to the renowned easy-calving Limousin sire, EBY. Meanwhile, a Cavelands Jolly stock sire or a Lodge Hamlet stock sire have served other females.
All entries have been export-tested and are vaccinated for Lepto and IBR.
The family will provide free delivery to a central pick-up point in Northern Ireland. Elphin Mart can also arrange delivery to the mainland UK.
Demand for breeding stock
John commented on the current demand for breeding stock: “This year, more than ever, we are seeing top-class weanlings making exceptional prices. Farmers are appropriately rewarded for producing a special calf.”
“Furthermore, social media and online buying platforms have both hugely facilitated this. Also, from an awareness perspective, social media is a great information platform for prospective buyers.”
“Furthermore, from an accessibility perspective, buyers can purchase from anywhere online, which is proving revolutionary for the industry,” he added.
Catalogue and viewing
You can view a catalogue online. Alternatively, see the farm’s Facebook page for more details and photos. You can view heifers in Elphin Mart from 3:30 pm onwards.
Covid-19 measures, regarding social distancing and mask-wearing, in place.
Images: Tricia Kennedy
