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The Western Simmental Club held its annual sale of crossbred heifers on Saturday at Aurivo Mart Ballymote.
The sale continues to draw large crowds from right across the country who are looking to source quality replacements.
Mart manager Stephen Hannon said the sale saw an entry of about 200 in-calf heifers, maiden heifers, yearlings and weanlings on offer. The trade started with brisk demand for all good-quality In-calf heifers.
Auctioneer Eamonn Gaffney said demand for in-calf heifers was up slightly on the same sale last year and these lots were an easier sell and achieved slightly better prices.
Hannon said demand was so strong there was almost a 100% clearance in this section.
At the top of the trade, good-quality springer heifers sold to €2,550, with a good share more selling to €2,400 per head.
According to Hannon, the in-calf heifer section saw prices average at about €2,000/head.
Buyers were present from right across the country, with some having travelled from as far away as Kerry.
Sligo breeder Declan Oates received the highest price of €3,000 for an October 2016-born 520kg all-Ireland-winning crossbred Simmental heifer.
Local farmer Sandra Killoran was the winning bidder for this heifer.
Maiden heifers
Maiden heifers over 450kg were the next section through the ringside, and again these were met with very strong demand.
This December 2015-born heifer weighing 500kg sold for €1,400 (€2.80/kg).
This 565kg Simmental cross maiden heifer born November 2015 sold for €1,520 (€2.69/kg).
This 545kg Simmental cross maiden five-star heifer born March 2016 sold for €1,140 (€2.09/kg).
This 525kg Simmental cross five-star maiden heifer with a replacement index of €115 born February 2016 sold for €1,340 (€2.55/kg).
This 505kg Simmental cross five-star maiden heifer with a replacement index of €139 born February 2016 sold for €1,460 (€2.89/kg).
This 530kg Simmental cross maiden heifer born February 2016 sold for €1,380 (€2.60/kg).
The trade for these was brisk, and prices were very strong. They averaged at around about €1,500/head, with the tops reaching €2,250.
At the upper end of the market, there were god-quality heifers selling from €1,800/head to €2,000/head.
Weanlings
The weanling section was not quite as hot of a trade as the maidens and in-calf lots but there was a strong trade nonetheless, with several good-quality types making well over €1,200, while the average price would have been about €1,000 according to Hannon.
He added that while the clearance rate for in-calf heifers and maiden heifers was almost 100%, the weanling section achieved a slightly lower clearance.
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