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HomeBeefSuckler farmers continue to express confidence in Salers to breed golden calf
Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
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Suckler farmers continue to express confidence in Salers to breed golden calf

A top call of €1,850 was recorded twice at the annual Salers heifer sale at Gort Mart last month.

First, to command the price tag was an in-calf heifer, property of Billy Small, Mullingar. The 635kg entry was tapped out as champion by judge, Seamus Nagle of Bullbank.

The next to fetch this four-figure sum was her stablemate, while Small’s second prize-winner sold for €1,760.

In-calf heifers averaged €1,410 with a 70% clearance rate, according to the society.

Close to one hundred and thirty commercial animals were offered for sale on the day (Saturday, October 17th).

Maiden heifers

Maiden commercial heifers averaged €1,100 and sold to a high of €1,480. Bidders again agreed with the judge’s selections.

First prize went to lot 134, a 440kg Bonaparte-sired heifer owned by Mr. Martin Lydon, Ballinasloe.

In addition, second prize winner was lot 104, owned by Mr. Micheal Giles, Claregalway. She weighed 520kg and made the next highest price of €1,380.

In all, there were thirty-nine maiden heifers on offer and a 100% clearance was achieved in this section, the society stated.

Weanling heifers

Weanlings averaged €900 with a top price of €1230 for a well-grown 395kg heifer owned by Mr. Pat Cronin, Co. Cork.

First prize in the weanling section went to lot 14, owned by Mr. Joe O’Gorman, Cappamore. This heifer was sold as part of a pair which averaged 345kg and fetched €1,020.

The second prize-winner was lot 13, also owned by Mr. O’Gorman and sold as part of a pair. They averaged 330kg and were sold for €920.

“There were sixty-one animals offered for sale in the weanling section and a 75% clearance was achieved.”

“As has been the case in the past, strong weanling heifers born in early spring showing good growth rate and weight for age were in demand. Younger and lighter heifers were not as sought after.”

Pedigree heifers

There was a small entry of pedigree heifers with one weanling heifer and three maidens. The weanling heifer, Glenmore Uber was owned by Mr. Tom Mulcahy, Co. Limerick. This September-2019-born entry, sired by Lataster Eric, changed hands for €1,320.

Maiden heifers

Also, in the maiden heifer went to Tom Mulcahy for his October-2018-born, Glenmore Tiffany; the Ulsan daughter changed hands for €1,700.

Furthermore, second prize went to Ballyconneely Ulrika owned by Mr. Seán Sweeney, Co. Galway. This July-2019-born Variegeois daughter also climbed to €1,700.

Third-prize in the maiden section went to Glenmore Uriel, a-January-2019 Garou daughter at €1,200.

Confidence in Salers females

“Many repeat buyers purchased their replacement heifers at the sale and expressed their confidence in the Salers female to calve unassisted, go back in-calf easily and rear a good calf.”

“The plan for most seems to be to go to a Salers bull in years one and two, before crossing to a Charolais bull thereafter in order to produce the much sought after golden Charolais-cross-Salers weanling.”

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