WEANLING TRADE GETS TIMELY BOOST FROM STRONG SALE IN KANTURK

THE weanling trade received a boost with ‘lively’ demand for heifers at a show and sale at Kanturk Co-Op Mart last Tuesday where there was an entry of 480 head.

The quality continental weanlings met with a “much improved” trade with strong competition between shippers and farmer buyers, and the sale was described as “the best so far this autumn”.

The top price of €1,200 was paid for a Belgian Blue bull, judged Su- preme Champion of the Show. He was exhibited by David Hegarty from Bandon and, weighing 390kgs, was bought by Denis O’Connor from Mallow.

“It was just amazing the improvement in the trade from the last sale for the heifers in particular,” said mart manager Seamus O’Keeffe.

“All quality weanlings were in strong demand with farmers having to compete with shippers. All of the continentals sold well and there were plenty of buyers at the ringside for the quality lots. There were a lot of farmers around the south that got a good cut of silage the previous week that has helped to relieve the fodder situation, and it was just amazing the effect which it had on the trade, with farmers having a bit more confidence,” he added.

The good 300-400kg Friesian type weanling, which had been a very difficult trade, also met with improved demand “and there were buyers Belgian Blue bull, exhibited by David Hegarty from Bandon and weighing 390kg was purchased by Denis O’Connor from Mallow for €1,200.

Belgian Blue bull, exhibited by Charolais bulls exhibited by Niall Murphy, Kanturk. Hereford bulls exhibited by Conor Cronin, Ballyclough.

Conor Ring, Freemount, Charleville, exhibitor of the Reserve Champion with Sean Ryan and William O’Flynn of Southern Milling, Chairman Kanturk Mart John Cott and judge Peter O’Connellthere for that type of weanling, but the plain, lightweight Friesian-type weanling were still a poor trade,” said Seamus.Conor Ring from Freemount and weighing 400kg, was purchased by exporter David Hunter from Mallow at €1,090.

Exhibitor of the Supreme Champion David Hegarty, Bandon with Sean Ryan and William O’Flynn of Southern Milling, Cork, Chairman of Kanturk Mart John Cott and judge Peter O’Connell