Just under 100 calves were sold in Carrigallen Mart at bank holiday Monday’s calf sale. This was the first online sale for the mart using the online platform Livestock Live.

Mart manager Helen Kells said it was a breath of fresh air compared with how things have been over the past few weeks.

“The system is much more streamlined than going back and forth between seller and buyer. Both buyers and sellers have commented on how satisfied they are with the whole process.”

Viewing

While some buyers viewed calves earlier in the morning prior to the sale, others didn’t, but were very happy with their stock when they arrived in the yard to collect them.

Helen said that while the buzz wasn’t the same as selling around the ring, it didn’t seem to have any negative affect on the trade, which was reflected in the prices paid on the day.

The sale consisted of 68 males and 31 females. Angus- and Hereford-cross calves dominated the sale, accounting for just shy of 50% of calves.

Prices

Angus heifers averaged €170/head, ranging from €120 up to €220 for a select few stronger calves. Angus bulls hit a high of €370 and averaged €223, with a more typical range of €180 to €220/head.

Hereford heifers also met a strong trade and managed an average price of €184/head and ranged from €160 to €250, while Hereford bulls averaged €265/head, topping out at €410 for a strong framed calf with a more typical range of around €230 to €280/head.

Continentals

Of the 10 Belgian Blue calves sold, just two were heifers – one sold for €270, while the other made €420. Belgian Blue bulls averaged €280, with a range from €230 to €400/head.

Topping the sale was an older well-framed Charolais bull calf that made €580.

Other prices of note were a Limousin bull at €350, two Simmental bulls at €280 and €370 and an Aubrac bull that made €350.