Pics and prices: Numbers back but buyers aplenty at Baltinglass Mart
Baltinglass Mart held its weekly cattle sale on Wednesday last and, although numbers are down – owing to the time of year – buyers were plentiful on the day.
The trade was dominated by suckler-bred stock and farmers and feedlot buyers were particularly keen to secure the Charolais and Limousin types offered. Grass stores met a strong trade and prices of over €2/kg were the norm.
Commenting on the trade, Joe Kinsella of Baltinglass Mart said: “Numbers have dropped over recent weeks, but that’s normal for the time of year. Numbers will pick up again as the year progresses.
“We had plenty of buyers around the ring on Wednesday and, as a result, store cattle met a strong trade. Farmers and feedlot buyers were both active on the day.”
Heifers
A nice selection of Charolais, Angus, Hereford and Limousin heifers were offered and farmers were especially keen to secure multi-purpose heifers – either suitable for feeding or breeding. Strong prices were generated for some of the nice, coloured Charolais stock offered.
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This trio of 393kg, December-2016 and January-2017 born, Charolais heifers sold for €900 or €2.29/kg
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This 410kg, February-2017 born, Charolais heifer traded at €920 or €2.24/kg
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The hammer fell on this 335kg, February-2017 born, Charolais heifer at €740 or €2.21/kg
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This 435kg, May-2017 born, Limousin heifer sold for €840 or €1.93/kg
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This pair of 435kg, May-2017 born, Limousin heifers traded at €880 or €2.02/kg
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These 398kg, December-2016 and January-2017 born, Limousin heifers sold for €900 or €2.26/kg
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This forward Hereford heifer, registering on the weighbridge at 460kg, made €880 or €1.91/kg
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This trio of Angus heifers, weighing 435kg and born in November 2016 and January 2017, made €800 or €1.84/kg
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This 420kg, June-2016 born, Shorthorn heifer sold for €740 or €1.76/kg
Bullocks
Like the heifer trade, the bullock section of the sale was dominated by continental-bred cattle. However, a small number of Hereford and Friesian steers were offered.
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This pair of 525kg, February-2017 born, Limousin steers sold for €1,190 or €2.27/kg
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This 505kg, November-2016 born, Charolais steer traded at €1,180 or €2.34/kg
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This shapely Charolais steer, born in April 2016 and standing at 455kg, sold for €1,100 or €2.42/kg
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Weighing 435kg, this June-2016 born Limousin bullock sold for €1,040 or €2.29/kg
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From the same stable as the previous lot, this 450kg Limousin bullock traded at €1,000 or €2.22/kg
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Standing at 500kg, this January-2017 born Hereford steer sold at €1,010 or €2.02/kg
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This trio of 361kg Hereford steers, born in March 2017, made €730 or €2.02/kg
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Topping the bill on the day was this May-2015 born Charolais steer. Standing at 690kg, he traded at €1,380 or €2.00/kg
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One of the few Friesians on offer, this 650kg, April-2014 born, steer made €1,180 or €1.82/kg
Upcoming sales
Baltinglass Mart hosts its weekly cattle sale every Wednesday; the sale commences at 11:30am. Sheep sales take place on Saturday mornings and begin at 10:30am.