Carrigallen Mart had over 600 weanlings at its annual show and sale of heifer weanlings on Saturday last.

Trade was very solid, with a number of big feeders in attendance from the south of the country.

Lighter calves in the heifer ring were in demand, with calves in the 200kg to 300kg bracket averaging €3/kg.

Top call went to a Charolais heifer calf weighing 270kg and selling for €1,320 (€4.88/kg).

In the 300kg to 400kg bracket, calves also averaged out close to €3/kg, with a top call of €1,820 for a 370kg Charolais heifer.

Belgian Blue cattle appear to be making a comeback this autumn in marts and a number of good-quality heifers crossed the €4/kg mark during the sale.

Heavier heifers in the 400kg to 500kg range were selling for between €2.70/kg and €3.30/kg, with a top price of €1,870 for a 445kg Belgian Blue heifer.

The weanling bull ring was a lot quieter on Saturday, with the focus being on the heifers all day. Nonetheless, trade was also solid, with a number of exporters hungry for calves suitable for export.

Farmer buyers dominated the lighter calf trade, with bull calves between 200kg and 300kg making from €2.70/kg to €3.70/kg, with the top call going to a Charolais calf weighing 290kg and selling for €1,140 (€3.93/kg).

Most bull calves fell into the 300kg to 400kg bracket and they sold for between €2.50/kg and €3.70/kg depending on weight and quality. Top call went to a Charolais calf weighing 370kg and selling for €1,300 (€3.51/kg). Calves in this weight bracket are generally up €70 to €80 on last year.

Heavier bull calves also met a good demand, with bulls in the 400kg to 500kg bracket generally selling for between €2.40/kg and €3/kg.

Bull finishers were active for these heavier bulls, with the top call going to a 460kg Charolais bull selling for €1,320 (€2.86/kg). Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, mart manager Helen Kells said: “You are always nervous with a big yard of calves [whether] you will have customers for them all, but we were really happy with the 94% clearance.”

“Top-quality calves are a great trade, with some of our southern-based customers very anxious for quality calves.”

Carrigallen Mart will hold its annual show and sale of store heifers this Thursday 13 October, where over 400 heifers will be on sale.

In pictures

This October 2021-born Charolais heifer weighed 355kg and sold for €920 (€2.59/kg).

This April 2022-born Limousin heifer weighed 285kg and sold for €830 ( €2.91/kg).

This February 2022-born Charolais heifer weighed 315kg and sold for €1,000 (€3.17/kg).

This January 2022-born Limousin heifer weighed 380kg and sold for €1,200 (€3.16/kg).

This April 2022-born Limousin heifer weighed 270kg and sold for €1,130 (€4.18/kg).

This March 2022-born Charolais heifer weighed 310kg and sold for €1,080 (€3.48/kg).

This February 2022-born Charolais heifer calf weighed 385kg and sold for €1,180 (€3.06/kg).

This April 2022-born Belgian Blue heifer weighed 440kg and sold for €1,880 (€4.27/kg).

This February 2022 born Belgium Blue heifer weighed 440kg and sold for €1880 (€4.27/kg)

This February 2022-born Charolais heifer weighed 385kg and sold for €1,200 (€3.11/kg).

This July 2021-born Limousin heifer weighed 425kg and sold for €1,450 (€3.41/kg).

This October 2021-born Charolais heifer weighed 425kg and sold for €1,200 (€2.82/kg).

This March 2022-born Charolais heifer weighed 335kg and sold for €1,130 (€3.37/kg).