Smaller numbers were entered this week in Elphin as farmers took the opportunity of a few dry days in succession to get silage cut. The sale included a purebred unhaltered sale in ring 1 after the dry cows.
Cows
Just under 70 dry cows were sold, with an average price of €1.90/kg paid. Fleshed cows were making €1.75/kg to €1.95/kg on average, while older, thinner or poorer-quality lots were making €1.35/kg to €1.55/kg. Exceptional cows were making as much as €2.15/kg to €2.25/kg; these were mainly Belgian Blue and Limousin types.
Heifers
Heifers from 300kg to 400kg and those from 400kg to 500kg both averaged €2.31/kg, but numbers were small in these categories. In the 500kg to 600kg weight band, the average price paid was €2.19/kg, while those over 600kg made €2.18/kg on average.
Bullocks
There was a bigger number of bullocks forward for sale. Those weighing from 300kg to 400kg averaged €2.41/kg, while in the 400kg to 500kg weight range the average price paid was €2.25/kg. Bullocks weighing between 500kg and 600kg also made €2.25/kg, while those over 600kg came in at €2.21/kg.
Weanlings
There was a small entry of weanlings, with heifers making €350 to €400 along with their weight, while males made €400 to €450 along with their weight.
Purebreds
The standout price was €4,300 paid for a 17-month-old purebred Charolais bull sired by Fiston that attracted a lot of attention around the ring. Other breeding bulls sold for between €1,100 and €1,600.
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