Weanling show and sale set for midlands mart this week

A weanling show and sale is set to take place this week in Ballinakill Mart, Co. Laois, with a strong showing expected, according to organisers.

The show and sale of weanlings will be held in Ballinakill this Thursday evening, July 30.

According to organisers, all weanlings have to booked in and numbers will be allocated accordingly.

There will be prizes on the night for the top bulls and heifers, with first, second and third place ribbons going for each. Weanlings must be born after August 1, 2019, to enter, according to the mart representatives.

Heavier cattle are also welcome to attend, as there will be a strong export presence on the night, it was added.

All cattle for the show must be penned by 4:00pm, with the sale due to start at 6:00pm sharp.

IGA Beef Event goes online

In other news, as a consequence of Covid-19 restrictions, the 2020 Irish Grassland Association (IGA) Beef Event is taking a slightly different approach, where three of the previous hosts will be revisited through a virtual, online showcase.

During the week beginning today, Monday, July 27, a selection of video footage will be available through the IGA website and across its social media channels – Facebook and Twitter.

The virtual tour – which is supported by Mullinahone Co-op – will showcase how the farms have changed and developed in order to cope with the challenges that face beef farmers, and to get their views on where they see their farms going over the next few years.

The three beef farms chosen for the event are: the O’Connor family farm in Co. Kildare; Tom and Matthew Halpin in Co. Meath; and Paul Turley in Downpatrick, Co. Down.