Carnew Mart hosted its 40th Annual Fatstock Show and Sale on Saturday (January 23). There was a large show of stock on offer, with over 400 head of beef cattle, 300 stores and 200 bulls brought forward for auction.
Commenting on the special show and sale of bullocks, the mart’s manager, David Quinn stated:
“Despite the cold weather, the lockdown and having all online trading, we had a tremendous success with the show of cattle.
Claiming the champion rosette in the pre-sale show was Charolais bullock weighing an impressive 1,052kg. This bullock was exhibited by a local farmer Owen O Neill, Bagnelstown, Co Carlow. He went on to sell for €2,900 or €2.75/kg.
Although he may not have received the Champion rosette, the bullock named ‘Roy’ (who also appeared on the Late Late Show) sold for the top price of €3,000 or €3.04/kg. This second-prize-winning Charolais bullock weighed 984kg on the day and was shown by Derry Rothwell from Tinahely.
David explained: “There was plenty of high-quality stock on offer.
Beef cattle were an exceptional trade, we would have had 50 cattle that sold in excess of €2,000. In general, beef cattle sold from €2.20/kg – €2.70/kg.
“Store cattle were a very good trade, with big interest from both local farmers and northern buyers.
“The higher quality continental store bullocks would have sold for €2.30-2.60/kg, while the lesser quality continental store bullocks would have sold from €2.05 up to €2.20/kg.”
Sample top prices for bullocks:
- Limousin: 930kg – €2,380 or €2.55/kg;
- Limousin: 828kg – €2,250 or €2.71/kg;
- Charolais: 780kg – €1,830 or 2.34/kg;
- Charolais: 780kg – €1,910 or 2.44/kg;
- Friesian: 722kg – €1,380 or €1.91/kg;
- Parthenaise: 694kg – €1,900 or €2.73/kg;
- Limousin: 590kg – €1,480 or €2.50/kg;
- Charolais: 565kg – €1,370 or €2.42/kg.
Speaking on the sale of weanlings, David said:
“Weanling bulls saw a big demand from exporters, especially for good quality Belgian Blue bulls. Bulls with this breeding were selling up to €1,600 and many making €3.00/kg.
“The average continental weanling, weighing 400-500kg, were selling at €2.05-2.30/kg.
“The lighter average weanling, weighing around the 300-350kg mark, with Charolais or Limousin breeding were sold at €2.30-2.50/kg.”