Report: Ballinrobe Mart a hive of activity with 3 days of sales

Aurivo Ballinrobe Mart – Cattle Prices – 23-08-2023

According to Teresa Gibsey, bullocks reached €1,270, while heifers topped at €1,840, dry cows soared to €2,190 and springers climbed to €2,000 at Aurivo Ballinrobe Mart on Wednesday, August 23^rd, 2023.

The assistant manager reported that prices ranged from €780 to €1,270 per head or €1.92 to €3.03 per kg. The average for bullocks 500kg plus was €2.25/kg, while lighter bullocks 400 to 500 kgs sold for an average of €2.31/kg.

Sample prices as follows –

• CHX – 535KG – €1,270 – €2.37/KG;
• SIX – 460KG – €1,180 – €2.57/KG;
• LMX – 425KG – €1,150 – €2.71/KG;
• LMX – 360KG – €1,090 – €3.03/KG;
• AAX – 330KG – €900 – €2.73/KG.

Heifer prices

Heifer prices varied from €460 to €1,840 per head or €1.76 to €3.06 per kg. The average for heifers 500kg plus was €2.66/kg and entries in the 400 to 500kg weight bracket levelled at €2.60/kg.

Sample prices from this ring –

• CHX – 680KG – €1,840 – €2.71/KG;
• LMX – 535KG – €1,520 – €2.84/KG;
• LMX – 495KG – €1,300 – €2.63/KG;
• CHX – 430KG – €1,270 – €2.95/KG;
• CHX – 385KG – €1,100 – €2.86/KG;
• CHX – 355KG – €780 – €3.06/KG.

Dry cows

Dry cows saw an average of €1615 with a range of €830 to €2,190 with the best price going to a Charolais-cross cow weighing 970kg and making €2.26/kg.

Springers ranged from €1620 to €2000 at last Wednesday’s sale.

Sheep – Thursday, August 24^th, 2023

Gibsey reported “another large turnout of sheep” last Thursday.

Lambs/hoggets made from €1.67 to €3.29/kg or €40 to €156 with an average of €88 per head or €2.45/kg across the board.

Lamb prices as follows:

• 55kg, €156, €2.84/kg.
• 5kg, €135, €2.97/kg.
• 5kg, €130, €3.29/kg.
• 40kg, €131, €3.28/kg.
• 41kg, €127, €3.10/kg.
• 43kg, €129, €3.00/kg.

Cull ewes fetched from €25 to €157 per head with an average of €70 paid per head or price per kilo of €1.27.

Prices as follows:

• 82kg, €157, €1.91/kg;
• 76kg, €124, €1.63/kg;
• Culls 72kg, €120, €1.67/kg.

Friday, August 25^th

The Hiltex and Texel Cross breeding sale of ewe hoggets and ewe lambs, held their sale in conjunction with the mart’s general breeding sale followed by the North Connacht Region sale of Texel rams.

Texel-cross ewe hoggets ranged from €155 to €225 with an average of €194/hd, while Hiltex ewe hoggets pushed from €135 to €185 with an average of €162/hd.

The ewe lambs for both ranged from €85 to €195 with an average of €120.

Gibsey commented:

“The general breeding sale was met with great demand and nearly a full clearance with prices ranging from €80 to €260 with an average of €165.”

“There was a good selection of Texel rams with prices ranging from €390 to €1,030. Congratulations to all prize winners,” she concluded.

Mart information:

• Address: Aurivo Ballinrobe Mart, Claremorris Road, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo
• Sales: Weekly cattle sales on Wednesday at 11 am (subject to seasonal change) and weekly sheep sales on Thursdays
• Note: Pre-booking every Thursday and Friday from 9 am-1 pm for cattle sales.
• Contact details: Telephone: 094-9541140.

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