• Post category:News

Ballybay Mart held its fifth annual beef maiden heifer sale on Saturday April 29th last. It was the first sale where all heifers offered for sale were genotyped four or five stars. The top selling heifer sold for €1770. Owned by Peter Fitzsimons, Inniskeen the 5 Star Simmental heifer weighing 540kgs was bought by Tommy O’ Harte from Harte Peat in Clones. As buyer of the highest priced heifer on the day, Tommy O’Harte received the €250 prize sponsored by ABP Clones. Pictured above is lot 47 515kgs heifer sold by Peadar Clinton for €1480.

There were other exceptional prices achieved on the day. Martin Mc Nally, Bocks, Castleblaney had the 2nd placed heifer on the day, Lot 35 a 5 Star Limousin heifer with a maternal index rating of €140. At 405kgs she sold for €1700, €4.20/kg. Buyer Seamus O’ Dwyer, Thurles, Co. Tipperary receives the €150 prize from ABP for buying 2nd placed heifer.

Shane Brennan, ABP, Mairead Kirk Teagasc and Heifer Sellers from the 5th Annual Maiden Suckler Heifer Sale in Ballybay Mart.

Peter Fitzsimons, Inniskeen also had the 3rd placed heifer on the day. Lot 32 a 5 star Simmental heifer at 505kgs which sold at €1700, €3.37/kg. Buyer Eugene Smith, Redhills, Co. Cavan receives the €100 prize from ABP Clones for buying 3rd placed heifer.

Auctioneer Pat Crosbie prior to the start of the sale

 

Testing times in the suckler industry were evident on the day with trade slightly behind the same sale last year but according to Seamus Mc Carville, Ballybay Mart manager the quality suckler breeding heifer over 400kgs is still very much in demand.