Plenty of interest in heifers at the Aubrac Cattle Society show
ATOP price of €4,000 was paid for a Co Donegalbred Aubrac heifer and her calf at the Aubrac Cattle Society Annual Show and Sale at GVM Mart, Tullamore
Ballintra Hazel, born in February 2012 and bred by John Walsh, Ballintra by the sire Deirieu Frezat, was sold with a Caporal calf at foot, to Anthony Kerins, Milltown Malbay, Co Clare for €4,000. John also sold another in-calf heifer for €3,400.
The Overall Champion of the Show was Cullenwaine Khalessi, a Duches bred Maiden Heifer from the herd of Donal Quinlan, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary. She was bought by fellow countyman, Thomas Pollard, Ballingarry, Thurles at €3,000.
Meanwhile Francis Donohoe, Collinstown, Co Westmeath sold two cows with calves at foot for €3,500 and €3,550 respectively. Another Westmeath breeder Shane Bowers, Coole, sold an in-calf heifer for €3,000.
Kevin O’Brien, Turloughmore, Co Galway sold the top priced weanling heifer at €2,000, while a good selection of crossbred heifers met with good demand and a top price of €2,070 was recorded.
The sale attracted buyers from north and south, and there was plenty of competition for all heifers on offer, resulting in a very good clearance at excellent prices. However, a small entry of bulls met with very weak interest, with only one changing hands on the day. There was a lack of farmer buyers at the ringside with many feeling it is too early in the season to purchase. The 340kg spring born weanling bull which changed hands realised €1,200.
Overall weanling heifers topped at €2,000, recording an average of €1,500. Maiden heifers peaked at €3,000 and averaged €1,900. In-calf heifers averaged €3,200 with a top price of €3,400. Cows with calf at foot averaged €3,700 and recorded a top price of €4,000, while crossbred heifers, averaged €1,400 and sold for up to €2,070.