Over 360 heifers were put forward for Central Auctions Roscrea’s annual fatstock sale on Friday 8 January.

No show was able to take place because of COVID-19 restrictions, with the sale taking place online via the MartBids platform.

Boosted by a strengthening beef price this week and tightening availability of factory-fit stock, there was an excellent trade with a clearance rate of over 98%.

Heifers over 600kg averaged €2.46/kg, with the top third achieving an impressive €2.86/kg.

Top prices

The top price per kilo of €3.79/kg was paid for a 22-month-old Belgian Blue weighing 775kg (€2940).

The overall top price paid was for a March 2018-born Belgian Blue heifer weighing 1,000kg, with the hammer falling at €3,010 (€3.01/kg).

In the 500kg to 600kg weight band, the average price paid was €2.25/kg, with a top price/kg of €3.60/kg paid for a stylish 555kg March 2019-born Limousin with breeding potential (€2,000).

A smaller entry of heifers from 400kg to 500kg averaged €2.19/kg, with the top third making €2.49/kg.

To manage cattle numbers, the sale was split over two days, with cows being sold on Saturday 9 January from 10:30am.

This March 2019-born Belgian Blue weighed 775kg and sold for €2,940 (€3.79/kg).

This February 2019-born Angus heifer weighed 515kg and sold for €1,100 (€2.14/kg).

This July 2018-born Blonde heifer weighed 740kg and sold for €2,030 (€2.74/kg).

This pair of March 2019-born Charolais heifers weighed 672kg and sold for €1,710 (€254/kg).

This February 2019-born Charolais heifer weighed 550kg and sold for €1,320 (€2.40/kg).

These two spring 2019-born Charolais heifers weighed 673kg and sold for €1,600 (€2.40/kg).

This pen of 11 Angus heifers, born spring 2019, weighed 575kg and sold for €1,240 (€2.16/kg).

This March 2018-born Belgian Blue heifer weighed 1,000kg and sold for €3,010 (€3.01/kg).