A show and sale of organic heifers which took place in Gort Mart in Co. Galway last week saw a top price of €3,500 for a 565kg Limousin heifer.

The event was organised by the Organic Beef and Lamb Innovation Group (OBLIG), with 280 organic cattle going under the hammer.

OBLIG said the quality of stock on offer "was exceptional" and that producers "were praised for the standard they brought to the ring".

The Gort Mart sale was OBLIG's first organic cattle breeding sale.

"It marks a significant step from planning into practice, giving farmers who have joined the project a real route to market where their organic status is recognised and rewarded," the organisation said.

"The demand on the night is an early signal that organic produce leaking into the conventional market can be tackled when farmers, breeders and buyers are brought together in one place," OBLIG added.

The sale ran across three categories, each backed by a sponsor.

The Irish Organic Association sponsored Category A (2024/2025-born continental breed heifers); the Organic Trust sponsored Category B (2026-born continental breed heifers); and The Good Herdsman sponsored Category C (2024/2025-born traditional breed heifers).

OBLIG said there was strong demand for heifers between 12 and 24 months in both continental and traditional breeds, with buyers including both organic farmers restocking for breeding and organic finishers sourcing cattle to finish.

The top price outright on the day was €3,500 for a 565kg Limousin heifer, at €6.19/kg.

This heifer featured in Category A of the sale, where the average price was €4.32/kg.

The highest price for the 2026 continentals in Category B of the sale was €2,020 for a 270kg Limousin-cross heifer, at €7.48/kg.

The average price across Category B was €4.94/kg.

The highest price for the traditional breeds in Category C was €2,180 for a 480kg Hereford-cross heifer at €4.54/kg.

The average price for traditional breeds was €4.07/kg.

Apart from those top prices, other stand-out figures include:

The show aspect of the event featured a first, second and third prize for each category.

The prize winners in each category were as follows:

The sale also saw a "fine selection" of organic bullocks, which averaged €4.47/kg.

OBLIG expressed thanks to the sponsors of the three categories and "to all sellers who entered stock and to the buyers of their contribution to a successful first sale for OBLIG's farmers in phase one of the project".