‘A memorable day’ for Ballinrobe Mart as prices top at €3,040 at inaugural spring cattle show & sale

Aurivo Ballinrobe Mart – Cattle Prices – 15-03-2023

Prices skyrocketed to €3,040 at Aurivo Ballinrobe Mart’s inaugural spring cattle sale and sale on Wednesday, March 15^th, 2023, writes That’s Farming editor, Catherina Cunnane.

Teresa Gibsey, newly appointed assistant manager, reported an “incredible turnout with an unbelievable trade across the board” at Wednesday’s cattle sale.

Speaking following the sale, Gibsey said:

“The support from sellers was much appreciated, and the buyers that travelled long distances for the sale have spurred great talk in the area, along with support from regular customers.”

“We would like to thank all our sponsors for the tremendous support for the day. It was a memorable day for Ballinrobe Mart,” she added.

Bullock prices

Bullocks ranged from €980 to €3,040 per head or €2.42 to €3.74 per kg, with an average on the day of €3.12/kg.

Sample prices from this ring:

• BBX – 815KG – €3,040 – €3.73/KG;
• LMX – 470KG – €1,760 – €3.74/KG;
• CHX – 380KG – €1,340 – €3.53/KG;
• CHX – 880KG – €2,840 – €3.23/KG.

Heifers

A “significant” turnout of heifers saw “leading prices to match”, Gibsey reported.

Prices ranged from €900 to €2,900 per head or €2.61 to €3.75 per kg. The average for heifers 400 – 500kg was €3.10/kg, and heavier heifers 500kg plus was €3.15/kg.
Prices:

• CHX – 870KG – €2,900 – €3.33/KG;
• LMX – 635KG – €2,170 – €3.42/KG;
• CHX – 495KG – €1,660 – €3.35/KG ;
• CHX – 345KG – €1,240 – €3.59/KG;
• CHX – 280KG – €1,500 – €3.75/KG.

Weanling bulls climbed from €700 to €1,100 per head or €2.42 to €3.63 per kg, with an average of €3.15/kg.

Sample prices:

• LMX – 435KG – €1,500 – €3.45/KG;
• CHX – 405KG – €1,420 – €3.51/KG;
• LMX – 300KG – €1,070 – €3.57/KG;
• LMX – 295kg – €1,070 – €3.63/KG.

Weanling heifers were “on fire”, according to Gibsey, with highs of €6.04/kg forked out.

Prices ranged from €560 to €1,660 per head or €2.59 to €6.04 per kg. The average for heifers 200 – 350kg was €3.42/kg.

Sample prices:

• BBX – 275KG – €1,660 – €6.04/KG;
• CHX – 400KG – €1,500 – €3.75/KG;
• CHX – 295KG – €1,130 – €3.83/KG.

Dry cows made from €880 to €2,380, with the top call in this ring clinched by a farmer from Taugheen, Claremorris at €2.77/ kg, with an 860kg LMX making €2,380.

Sucklers and calf entries:

• Meanwhile, in the suckler ring, a CHX cow with a CHX heifer calf at foot fetched €2,320.
• Two calves came under the hammer with €50 for a Hereford-cross heifer calf and €115 for an Aberdeen Angus-cross heifer calf.

Prize-winners [Judges: Norman Connolly & Sean Walsh]

Best Cow: Sponsored by J.J Walsh Agri Contractors 

• 1^st prize – Patrick Connolly, Lehinch, Hollymount, Claremorris, Co. Mayo – Lot 1403, Lmx, 835kg, €2,290, €2.74/kg.
• 2^nd prize – Liam Ryder, Carraholly, Hollymount, Westport, Co. Mayo – Lot 1407, Lmx, 765kg, €2,180, €2.85/kg.

Best Single Bullock: Sponsored by Sweeney Oil 

• 1^st prize – Anthony Tolan, Mace Middle, Claremorris, Co. Mayo – Lot 385, Bbx, 815kg, €3,040, €3.73/kg.
• 2^nd prize – Colum Hession, Pulbawn, Hollymount, Claremorris, Co. Mayo – Lot 407, Chx 700kg, €2,500, €3.57/kg.

Class: Best Pair Bullocks: Sponsored by McHale Farm Machinery  

• 1^st prize – PJ O’Malley, Liskilleen, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo – Lot 389, Chx, 693kg, €2,500, €3.61/kg.
• 2^nd prize – Tom Doherty, Ballyhenry, Shrule, Co. Mayo – Lot 326, Chx, 668kg, €2,070, €3.10/kg.

Best Single Heifer:  Sponsored by Michael Heneghan Butchers, Ballinrobe  

• 1^st prize – James McArdle, Rathgranagher, Cloghans Hill, Tuam, Co. Galway – Lot 7, Chx, 870kg, €2,900, €3.33/kg.
• 2^nd prize – Seamus Cusack, Derryribbeen, Clogher, Westport, Co. Mayo – Lot 29, Chx, 600kg, €2,140,

Best Pair Heifers: Sponsored by St Colman’s Credit Union – Claremorris CU  

• 1^st prize – Michael Cusack, Curtain, Clogher, Westport, Co. Mayo – Lot 28, Lmx, 573kg, €1,830, €3.20/kg.
• 2^nd prize – Declan Morley, Newbrook, Claremorris, Co. Mayo – Lot 10, Lmx, 532.5kg, €1,800, €3.38/kg.

Best Weanling Heifer: Sponsored by Corrib Oil 

• 1^st Prize – Fintan McGreal, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo – Lot 709, Bbx, 275kg, €1,660, €6.04/kg.
• 2^nd Prize – John O’Toole, Fahy, Clifden, Co. Galway – Lot 727, Chx, 400kg, €1,500, €3.75/kg.

Best Weanling Bull: Sponsored by Ballinrobe Tool Hire 

• 1^st prize – John O’Grady, Clooneen, Kilmeena, Westport, Co. Mayo – Lot 1022, LM, 380kg, €1,320, €3.47/kg.
• 2^nd prize – Brendan Heaney- Cornfield, Hollymount, Co. Mayo – Lot 1004, Bbx, 410kg, €1,400, €3.41/kg.

Spot prize winners:  

Buyers: 

• Michael McDermot, Frenchpark, Castlerea – Voucher sponsored by Homeland.
• Martin Forde, Newbrook, Claremorris – 2 tickets sponsored by the Ballinrobe Races
• Gerry Early, Castlerea – Voucher sponsored by Caoimhin Galvin Veterinary, Ballinrobe
• Thomas Walsh, Hollyhill, Castlebar – Voucher sponsored by Paddy Fitzgerald Agri Supplies.

Sellers:  

• Paddy Higgins, Lissatava, Hollymount – Voucher sponsored by Paddy Fitzgerald Agri Supplies.
• John Morrin, Kildun, The Neale – Voucher sponsored by Homeland
• Seamus Nevin, Bushfiled, Hollymount – 2 Tickets sponsored by the Ballinrobe Races.

Videos

VIDEO highlights: That’s Farming editor, Catherina Cunnane, attended Aurivo Ballinrobe Mart’s inaugural cattle spring show and sale on Wednesday, March 15^th, 2023:

Find more videos on That’s Farming’s YouTube channel via this link.

More videos on That’s Farming’s Facebook page.

Read more news from farming journalist, Catherina Cunnane