Cull cows top at €2,450 at Headford’s opening sale of 2023

Headford Mart – Cattle Prices – 14-01-2023

While the cattle yard was “light in numbers”, prices were “strong” throughout at Headford Mart’s opening sale of 2023 on Saturday, January 14^th, 2023.

That is according to its interim manager, Joyce Whelan, who reported that the sale generated a full clearance in both yards.

She commented: “Sellers are off to a good start for the year ahead. It was a day for dry cows with larger numbers than expected for this time of year – and in, fairness their quality was good.”

The best price on the day was an 815Kg Limousin-cross cull cow at €2450.

• LMX – 745KG – €2140/€2.87/KG;
• AAX – 625KG – €1400/€2.24/KG;
• FR – 760KG – €1560/€2.05/KG;
• AAX – 720KG – €1920/€2.67/KG;
• BBX – 725KG – €1810/€2.50/KG.

Bullock numbers were small with “plenty of demand for what was available”.

• CHX – 475KG – €1480/€3.12/KG;
• BBX – 535KG – €1530/€2.86/KG;
• SIM – 550KG €1310/€2.38/KG;
• LMX – 530KG – €1550/€2.92/KG.

According to Whelan, store heifer figures continued to “hold earlier day” prices as follows:

• HEX – 500KG – €1200/€2.40/KG;
• LMX – 645KG €2110/€3.27/KG;
• BBX – 600KG €1920/€3.20/KG;
• AAX – 540KG – €1340/€2.48/KG.

Weanling heifers:

• CHX – 285KG – €920/€3.23/KG;
• HEX – 355KG €800/€2.25/KG;
• LMX – 535KG – €1580/€2.95/KG.

Weanling bull prices:

• PTX – 490KG – €1440/€2.94/KG;
• LMX – 540KG – €1460/€2.70/KG;
• HEX – 260KG – €730/€2.81/KG;
• LMX – 373KG – €1160/€3.11/KG.

Sheep prices

Meanwhile, in the sheep yard, a special entry of in-lamb ewes drew “plenty of interest” prior to the sale, the manager reported.

The Langan flock of fully Texel & Suffolk hoggets and ewes in-lamb to Suffolk and Charolais pedigree rams, also on display, topped €200.

Other in-lamb ewes also performed “well” on the day with 5 making €138, 2 selling for €147.50, 6 fetching €192. 6, 4 & 5 hitting €170 and 4 pens making €182.

The top price per Kg went to Headford lambs – 48Kg €140 or €2.92/Kg followed closely by 8 lambs, weighing 48Kg at €132.

Meanwhile, culls “fared well” with 59-65kg lots making an average of €80/head.

Whelan comments 

Speaking following the sale, Whelan commented:

“Christmas is well and truly over at this stage, but we cannot let the season pass without mentioning the workers who came in over the holidays to progress maintenance upgrades in the mart.”

“Special recognition to the wall-building team who worked outdoors in atrocious weather conditions to make sure the wall and carpark surfaces were finished before we were back in action.”

“Ye might have noticed that Headford Mart is playing their bit in making the Galway Road a bit brighter in Headford – with our road sign casting light at night –  hopefully this will not only help new clientele find the mart, but also guide walkers safely along the roadside.”

“The last year has been eventful in many respects, with huge headways made in several areas throughout the mart business.”

“On behalf of the staff and customers, we thank the outgoing committee for all their efforts over the last 12 months and welcome the new committee members who are stepping into the voluntary roles for this term.”

“We wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous new year – and le cúnamh Dé, plenty of time in the mart,” she concluded.