Manorhamilton Mart marked its fifth annual Christmas fatstock show and sale on Saturday 13 December, drawing a strong turnout with over 300 cattle on offer.
The event featured both haltered and unhaltered entries and attracted a packed ringside, achieving a clearance rate of 70%. Notably, 12 lots surpassed €5,000, underscoring robust demand for quality.
Leading the sale and setting a new event record of €10,600 was a July-born Limousin-cross heifer exhibited by Chris Meehan. Weighing 300kg, the heifer also achieved the highest price per kilo at €35.33/kg.
This standout entry claimed first place in the 2025-born heifer under 300kg class before going on to take the reserve champion title in the pre-sale show, judged by Alise and Arthur Callaghan from Co Down.
Dominating
Belgian Blue-bred heifers dominated the top prices, with a flashy black-and-white Belgian Blue heifer taking the next-highest price at €8,100 (€17.16/kg).
An exceptional 400kg February-born blue roan heifer sold for €7,100 (€17.75/kg).
Seamus Watters of Sligo donated a Limousin-cross heifer to support the charity Shout.
This 320kg homebred heifer sparked competitive bidding and ultimately sold for an impressive €3,600, with every cent going directly to the cause.
Bulls proved somewhat more challenging to sell day, mirroring trends seen at similar recent sales. Prices generally hovered around €5/kg for heavier bulls, while lighter bulls with strong breeding prospects and potential for next year’s show season attracted offers exceeding €6/kg.
'Wonderful turnout'
Speaking after the sale, mart manager Wilfred Moffitt said: “There was a wonderful turnout of great-quality stock. A lot of young people were exhibiting. Some exceptional prices were achieved.
“Unfortunately, some cattle weren’t eligible for export to Northern Ireland due to being resident in herds for less than 30 days. The additional threat of bluetongue also didn’t help trade or exports, with around 35 cattle going to Northern Ireland - fewer than we would normally expect.”
The overall champion went to Daniel O’Connor with his May-born Limousin-cross heifer, which later sold for €5,100 (€14.57/kg).
The mart will take a two-week break over the holiday period, with sheep sales resuming on 7 January and cattle sales on 12 January 2026.
This Belgian Blue-cross heifer born March 2025 and weighing 464kg sold for €6,400 (€13.79/kg).
This Belgian Blue-cross heifer born May 2025 and weighing 342kg sold for €5,250 (€15.35/kg).
This first-prizewinning Belgian Blue-cross heifer born February 2025 and weighing 472kg sold for €8,100 (€17.16/kg).
This Belgian Blue-cross heifer born April 2025 and weighing 318kg sold for €3,400 (€10.69/kg).
This overall champion winning Limousin-cross heifer born May 2025 and weighing 350kg sold for €5,100 (€14.57/kg).
This Limousin-cross heifer born January 2025 and weighing 508kg sold for €5,100 (€10.04/kg).
This Limousin-cross heifer born January 2025 and weighing 476kg sold for €3,500 (€7.35/kg).
This first-prizewinning Charolais-cross heifer born April 2025 and weighing 324kg sold for €3,400 (€10.49/kg).
This Charolais-cross heifer born March 2025 and weighing 412kg sold for €3,220 (€7.82/kg).
This Limousin-cross heifer born April 2023 and calving in March 2026 to a Aberdeen Angus bull sold for €4,500 (€6.66/kg).
This first-prizewinning Belgian Blue-cross bull born February 2025 and weighing 486kg sold for €2,400 (€4.93/kg).
Manorhamilton Mart marked its fifth annual Christmas fatstock show and sale on Saturday 13 December, drawing a strong turnout with over 300 cattle on offer.
The event featured both haltered and unhaltered entries and attracted a packed ringside, achieving a clearance rate of 70%. Notably, 12 lots surpassed €5,000, underscoring robust demand for quality.
Leading the sale and setting a new event record of €10,600 was a July-born Limousin-cross heifer exhibited by Chris Meehan. Weighing 300kg, the heifer also achieved the highest price per kilo at €35.33/kg.
This standout entry claimed first place in the 2025-born heifer under 300kg class before going on to take the reserve champion title in the pre-sale show, judged by Alise and Arthur Callaghan from Co Down.
Dominating
Belgian Blue-bred heifers dominated the top prices, with a flashy black-and-white Belgian Blue heifer taking the next-highest price at €8,100 (€17.16/kg).
An exceptional 400kg February-born blue roan heifer sold for €7,100 (€17.75/kg).
Seamus Watters of Sligo donated a Limousin-cross heifer to support the charity Shout.
This 320kg homebred heifer sparked competitive bidding and ultimately sold for an impressive €3,600, with every cent going directly to the cause.
Bulls proved somewhat more challenging to sell day, mirroring trends seen at similar recent sales. Prices generally hovered around €5/kg for heavier bulls, while lighter bulls with strong breeding prospects and potential for next year’s show season attracted offers exceeding €6/kg.
'Wonderful turnout'
Speaking after the sale, mart manager Wilfred Moffitt said: “There was a wonderful turnout of great-quality stock. A lot of young people were exhibiting. Some exceptional prices were achieved.
“Unfortunately, some cattle weren’t eligible for export to Northern Ireland due to being resident in herds for less than 30 days. The additional threat of bluetongue also didn’t help trade or exports, with around 35 cattle going to Northern Ireland - fewer than we would normally expect.”
The overall champion went to Daniel O’Connor with his May-born Limousin-cross heifer, which later sold for €5,100 (€14.57/kg).
The mart will take a two-week break over the holiday period, with sheep sales resuming on 7 January and cattle sales on 12 January 2026.
This Belgian Blue-cross heifer born March 2025 and weighing 464kg sold for €6,400 (€13.79/kg).
This Belgian Blue-cross heifer born May 2025 and weighing 342kg sold for €5,250 (€15.35/kg).
This first-prizewinning Belgian Blue-cross heifer born February 2025 and weighing 472kg sold for €8,100 (€17.16/kg).
This Belgian Blue-cross heifer born April 2025 and weighing 318kg sold for €3,400 (€10.69/kg).
This overall champion winning Limousin-cross heifer born May 2025 and weighing 350kg sold for €5,100 (€14.57/kg).
This Limousin-cross heifer born January 2025 and weighing 508kg sold for €5,100 (€10.04/kg).
This Limousin-cross heifer born January 2025 and weighing 476kg sold for €3,500 (€7.35/kg).
This first-prizewinning Charolais-cross heifer born April 2025 and weighing 324kg sold for €3,400 (€10.49/kg).
This Charolais-cross heifer born March 2025 and weighing 412kg sold for €3,220 (€7.82/kg).
This Limousin-cross heifer born April 2023 and calving in March 2026 to a Aberdeen Angus bull sold for €4,500 (€6.66/kg).
This first-prizewinning Belgian Blue-cross bull born February 2025 and weighing 486kg sold for €2,400 (€4.93/kg).
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