Online northern buyers helping to drive trade in Balla – Hannon

Farming News/Mart Reports: Aurivo Balla Mart – Cattle Prices – 12-08-2023

According to Stephen Hannon of Balla Mart, cattle numbers increased at its general weekly sale on Saturday, August 12^th, 2023, which resulted in the re-opening of its third ring for cull cows, stock bulls and sucklers.

The manager of Balla Mart and general manager of Aurivo Marts reported that “Bullocks prices, in particular, were impacted by inclement weather conditions and dropping factory prices, not to mention rising costs all playing a part”.

Bullocks 300kg to 400kg averaged €2.83/kg, while stores 400kg to 500kg levelled at €2.77/kg and heavier bullocks 500kg sold for an average of €2.52/kg.

He noted that quality, heavy bullocks north of 700kg made up to €1,150 with the weight at Saturday’s sale, which saw northern activity and highs of up to €1,980 for a 750kg entry.

Bullock prices

• CHX – 670kgs – €1,880;
• CHX – 665kgs – €1,690;
• AAX – 685kgs – €1,480;
• AAX – 715kgs – €1,750;
• CHX – 410kgs – €1,180;
• CHX – 515kgs – €1,120;
• AAX – 800kgs – €1,990;
• AAX – 735kgs – €1,830;
• 2 SI – 730kgs – €1,930;
• AAX – 535kgs – €1,100;
• LMX – 655kgs – €1,360;
• CHX – 690kgs – €1,820;
• LMX – 650kgs – €1,710;
• LMX – 470kgs – €1,410;
• AAX – 595kgs – €1,410;
• CHX – 515kgs – €1,200;
• BBX – 390kgs – €1,300;
• AAX – 605kgs – €1,250.

Heifer prices

In the heifers, over 250 head came under the hammer, with a top call of €2,200.

Hannon noted that “quality would be less overall than last week, but any good breeding types were highly sought-after and commonly exported to the north”.

Lighter store heifers 300 – 400kg averaged €2.55/kg, while entries in this ring from 400kg to 500kg levelled at €2.71/kg and those 500kg+ sold for €2.76/kg of an average.

There was a BBX weighing 450kg that made €1,900 or €4.22/kg and another heavier Belgian Blue 605kg made €2,200 or €3.64/kg.

• HEX – 560kgs – €1,300;
• LMX – 395kgs – €1,130;
• LMX – 615kgs – €1,800;
• CHX – 615kgs – €1,600;
• SAX – 650kgs – €1,970;
• 2 LMX – 470kgs – €1,170;
• CHX – 610kgs – €1,700;
• CHX – 540kgs – €1,530;
• SI – 525kgs – €1,360;
• AAX – 540kgs – €1,390;
• HEX – 560kgs – €1,300;
• CHX – 515kgs – €1,260;
• BBX – 570kgs – €1,400;
• BBX – 560kgs – €2,100;
• BBX – 475kgs – €1,700;
• LMX – 470kgs – €1,350;
• LMX – 645kgs – €1,540;
• LMX – 515kgs – €1,380;
• LM – 775kgs – €2,110.

Cull cow prices

An increased offering of cull cows drove the re-opening of ring three, with between €2.40-€2.90/kg on the table for lots at the upper end of the market.

According to Hannon, “prices are holding firm with interest from Northern Ireland buyers online”.

Top of the town at €2,300 was a 795kg LM cow that made €2,300 or €2.89/kg.

• AAX – 850kgs – €1,950;
• CHX – 760kgs – €1,950;
• LMX – 770kgs – €1,850;
• CHX – 730kgs – €1,680;
• CH – 815kgs – €1,770;
• LM – 525kgs – €1,120;
• CHX – 885kgs – €2,070;
• CHX – 600kgs – €1,420;
• BBX – 465kgs – €690;
• FR – 525kgs – €550;
• CHX – 590kgs – €1,240;
• SIX – 775kgs – €1,770.

Meanwhile, a Charolais stock bull, born in 2016 and weighing 1,145kgs, sold for €2,360, while in the suckler ring, a CHX cow that made €2,280.

Balla Mart information:

• Address: Aurivo Balla Mart, Carrowntober, Oughter, Co. Mayo
• Contact information: Phone: 094-9365068 or see Aurivo’s website.
• Sale days: Weanlings: Tuesdays (seasonal). Bullocks, heifers, cull cows, sucklers, and stock bulls on Saturdays.

Further reading

• That’s Farming previously profiled Stephen Hannon, general manager of Aurivo Marts and manager of Balla Mart – Read this article with Stephen Hannon.

Mart reports

• Read more mart reports(cattle and sheep prices) on That’s Farming.