A special sale of in-calf heifers sold to a top price of £1,700 at the final cattle sale of 2017 held at Draperstown Mart.

The sale-topping animal was part of a consignment from James Alexander, Randalstown, and due to calve from late January to a Limousin bull.

Other noted prices from the same herd saw in-calf heifers calving from January to February sell from £1,650 to £1,690, with March-calving animals making £1,500 and upwards.

A separate entry of in-calf animals sold from £1,000 to £1,390. For further details, see camera at the mart on p49.

Omagh

Omagh Mart held its first sale of the year on New Year’s Day with a smaller than normal entry. Buyer demand was strong for both weanlings and calves.

Calves sold to a peak of £345 for a Belgian Blue bull calf, with Fleckvieh bull calves selling to £335. Several lots made £300 to £320 for continental-bred bull and heifer calves.

Store bullocks sold to £1,110 for a 525kg animal with fat cows selling from £800 to £900 depending on quality.

Sheep

The final sheep sale of the year was held in Swatragh last Saturday, with an excellent trade had for both lambs and fat ewes.

Fat lambs sold to a top price of £94 with many lots passing the £90 mark.

Dairy

The first dairy sale of the year at Kilrea had a limited entry, which ensured good competition between buyers.

Prices peaked at £2,120 for calved heifers.