Prices top at €2,520 at Headford

Headford Mart – Cattle Prices – 21-01-2023

According to a spokesperson, there was a “full clearance” of stock at Headford Mart on Saturday, January 21^st, 2023.

They described trade for dry cows as “smashing” as returns in this ring reached just shy of €3.00/kg with sample prices as follows –

• 635KG – FR – €1350/€2.13/KG;
• 770KG – HEX – €1870/€2.43/KG;
• 520KG – AAX – €820/€1.58/KG;
• 675KG – LM – €2000/€2.96/KG;
• 740KG – BBX – €1930/€2.61/KG;
• 730KG – CHX – €2060/€2.82/KG;
• 950KG – CH €2520/€2.65/KG.

In-calf entries:

• 860KG – CHX – €2000/€2.33/KG;
• 700KG – CHX €2000/€2.86/KG;
• 595KG – AAX – €1330/€2.24/KG;
• 430KG – SHX – €1140/€2.65/KG.
• The CH bull made €2120/ €2.20/KG.

Bullock numbers, the spokesperson reported, were “small but pricey”:

• 495KG – LMX – €1670/€3.37/KG;
• 530KG – CHX – €1530/€2.98/KG;
• 570KG – LMX – €1840/€3.23/KG;
• 400KG – HEX – €960/€2.40/KG;
• 605KG – CHX – €1940/€3.21/KG;
• 485KG – AAX – €1190/€2.45/KG.

The spokesperson noted that aged heifer numbers were “good” with prices to €3.23/Kg.

• 453KG – AAX – €1290/€2.85/KG;
• 555KG – LMX – €1540/€2.77/KG;
• 575KG – LMX – €1860/€2.32/KG;
• 575KG – CHX – €1800/€3.13/KG;
• 575KG – SPX – €1500/€2.61/KG;
• 550KG – FR – €1080/€1.96/KG;
• 485KG -LMX – €1440/€2.97/KG.

Weanling bulls ranged from €2.64 – €3.43/kg with an average of €3.09/Kg.

• 230KG – LM €790/€3.43KG;
• 435KG – LMX €1290/€2.97/KG;
• 420KG – CHX – €1230/€2.93/KG;
• 355KG – CH – €1150/€3.19/KG;
• 340KG – CHX €1100/€3.24/KG;
• 295KG – SAX €960/€3.25/KG;
• 450KG – LMX – €1190/€2.64/KG.

Weanling heifers ranged from €2.68-€3.33 per Kg with an average of over €3.09/Kg.

• 348KG – LMX – €1160/€3.33/KG;
• 340KG – CHX – €1100/€3.24/KG;
• 258KG – AAX – €800/€3.10/KG;
• 220KG – BBX – €660/€3.00/KG;
• 268KG – LMX – €710/€2.68/KG;
• 215KG – CHX – €660/€3.07/KG.

Sheep prices

Sheep numbers were “small”, but a full clearance of what was available was reported across the board by the spokesperson.

Culls included 2 95Kgs €140 each. Pen of 16 50Kgs €50 each.

Lambs “faired better” with four 48Kgs making €120. 18 59Kgs making €150, 12 62Kgs made €154 and eleven 36Kgs made €95.

Previous week’s prices

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.

Read more on this report.