BIG ENTRY FOR 44TH BALTINGLASS SHOW
THERE was a big entry of top quality cattle at the second part of the 44th annual show and sale for heifers and cows held at Baltinglass Mart on Wednesday.
There were buyers from a very wide area in attendance, all of whom were very keen to buy some of the outstanding lots on offer.
The bidding was brisk and auctioneer George Chandler, who was the auctioneer on the first day the mart opened 44 years ago, was as jovial and friendly as ever.
The champion of the show was owned by Joseph Lacey of Luggacurran in Portlaoise. His Belgian Blue heifer weighed 810kg and made €1,800
Class 1 Best Factory Butchers Heifer was also won by Joe Lacey and second in was local farmer Liam Burke with his Limousin Heifer weighing 955kg and making €2,020
Class 2 Best Lot of Butchers Heifers was once again won by Joe Lacey, with Tullow farmer Dermot O’Sullivan in second place with his Charolais heifer weighing 880kg and making €1,730.
Chris Ovington of Kiltegan won Class 3 Best Lot of Store Heifers, making €1,020. Peter Mullin won the second prize with his Belgian Blue heifer 373kg and making €920.
Class 4 Best Store Heifer and the Champion Group of the Show were both won by Austin Woodroofe from Knockananna for a Limousin heifer weighing 587kg and making €1,340.
Class 5 Best FAT Cow was won by Peter Mullin of Rathdangan for his limousin cow weighing 705kg and fetching €1170.
Joseph Kinsella was very happy with the prices and the quality of animals on show and said he was delighted for the loyal sellers who breed and feed these high quality stock and who deserve the best prices for their dedication to farming.
‘There was great quality animals on show and this was reflected in the many high prices paid on the day. We would like to thank all our very generous sponsors who sponsored cups and prizes for the different categories, without their support it would not be possible to have such good prizes for the different classes at our annual show and sale. Thanks to all the farmers who brought their stock to the mart and for their loyalty to Baltinglass Mart over the past 44 years. We look forward to serving the Farming Community for many more years to come,’ said Mr Kinsella.