Belgian Blues dominate weanling show in Kanturk

THE Belgian Blue breed dominated the awards and the prices paid at one of the opening weanling shows and sales for autumn 2016 in north Cork.

A Belgian Blue heifer, judged overall reserve champion of the show, topped the trade in the sales ring at Kanturk Co-Op Mart, selling for €3.55/kg.

Exhibited by Eamon O’Mahoney from Kiskeam, Mallow, Co Cork, the heifer was purchased by James Ryan of Kilfeacle, Co Tipperary for €1,420, after weighing in at 400kg.

The highest price, however, was reserved for a Belgian Blue bull belonging to Michael Fleming of Cullen, Mallow, Co Cork that took the award for supreme champion. The weanling weighed 540kg and sold to Joe O’Flynn of Banteer, Co Cork for €1,500.

There was an entry of 235 autumn born weanlings, and judges Matt Bluitt and Peter O’Connell had the challenging task of deciding the winners.

Sponsors of the show, the neighbouring dairy business, Boherbue Co-op were represented by chairman, Pat Murphy and vice-chair, Noel O’Mahoney, who assisted in the presentation of the prizes.

Seamus O’Keeffe of Kanturk Mart said: “The quality of the animals on offer was very good, but the customers were very cautious about the price and I’d say the prices were back €50-€70/hd on last year.

“There were plenty of nice cattle in the sale, and the good beef farmers were the main customers for them, but it was tough to get €1,000, because there is a lot of concern about where the beef prices are going,” he added.

“We had exporters but they were not buying. It was the really good committed beef men who were making the trade — farmers that are serious about beef, and they intend to have them gone within the next 12 months. They are being very cautious about what they pay, so it is tough enough start to the trade,” he added.

The award for the best pen went to three Aberdeen Angus heifers owned by Eileen Murphy from Kanturk, Co Cork. They weighed an average of 395kg and were bought by Ian McLoughlin of Clare Hill, Moate, Co Westmeath for €790 each.

Examples of some of the better prices paid for bulls included €1,200 for a 450kg Belgian Blue, €1,170 for a 525kg Limousin, and €1,180 for a 535kg Charolais. A Piedemontese weighing 410kg made €1,060, while a 395kg Charolais reached €1,020, and a 445kg Limousin sold for €1,015.

In the heifers, a Belgian Blue weighing 400kg made €1,420, Limousins at 330kg sold to €840, while Charolais weighing 420kg made €1,020. A 355kg Belgian Blue made €1,100, while €985 was paid for a 385kg Charolais, and a Limousin at 360kg made €910.

The next weanling show and sale at the mart is also for autumn-born weanlings and will take place on August 23