Carnew Mart in Co. Wicklow hosted its annual Belgian Blue-bred weanling bull and heifer show and sale on Wednesday, September 9.

Speaking to Agriland after the sale, Carnew Mart's Eugene Clune said there was a larger entry of stock than in previous years with over 500-head on offer in this year's sale.

Clune said that the weanlings on offer in the sale "met an outstanding trade from start to finish".

"A huge crowd attended the sale and the specialist farmers and exporters were both very active for the selection of calves on offer."

Weanling heifers

He said: "There was a great show of quality suckler-bred heifers all mature enough to make the bull in the next few months."

"These met an outstanding trade with buyers coming from far and wide.

"Mainly, heifers sold between €4.50-5.50/kg with many lots selling to over €6/kg with the top heifers selling to close to €8/kg."

Weanling heifer prices from the sale:

A 384kg Belgian Blue-cross heifer sold for €3,000;
A 494kg Belgian Blue-cross heifer sold for €3,250;
A 460kg Belgian Blue-cross heifer sold for €2,800;
A 474kg Belgian Blue-cross heifer sold for €2,800.

Clune also describe the bull weanlings as "selling to an outstanding trade".

He said: "There were five shippers very active around the ring and a number of specialist farmer feeders around the ring to buy the bigger bulls."

Weanling bull prices from the sale:

A 426kg Belgian Blue cross bull sold for €2,590;
A 369kg Belgian Blue cross bull sold for€2,100;
A 496kg Limousin cross bull sold for €3,420;
A 430kg Limousin cross bull sold for €2,440;
A 274kg Belgian Blue Cross bull sold for €1,750;
390kg Belgian Blue cross bull sold for €2,700;

"This led to a full clearance with most bulls selling between €5-€5.50/kg, with the top bulls selling over €6.50/kg and bulls making up to €6.92/kg for 390kg," Clune said.