PRICES soared to record levels at the Fane Valley cattle sale in Newtownhamilton on Saturday last, March 16.
A packed yard of quality stock met with a very strong demand in all sections and an excellent clearance was achieved.
Weanling calves sold in a flying trade with Charolais to £850 for 330 kgs and £810 for 320 kgs while Limousins made £775 for 340 kgs, £710 for 270 kgs, £580 for 220 kgs and £540 for 190 kgs. Belgian blue weanlings sold to £800 for 340 kgs and £480 for 190 kgs.
With close to 200 heifers on offer this section produced some very strong prices with all suitable animals selling well over £2/kg and many making £500 over weight. Heavy heifers sold to £1140 for a Charolais at 600 kgs with £1125 paid for a Simmental at 570 kgs and £1,115 for Limousin at 560 kgs. Other Charolais heifers to £1110 for 540 kgs, £1095 for 540 kgs, £1065 for 500 kgs, £1065 for 580kgs, £1055 for 530 kgs and £1025 for 530 kgs. Aberdeen Angus heifers also sold well with £1060 paid for 520 kgs,£1040 for 510 kgs, £990 for 510 kgs and £955 for 460 kgs while Belgian Blues sold to £960 for 510 kgs and Limousins to £950 for 500 kgs.
Lighter heifers also sold very strongly with Limousins to £980 for 460 kgs, £965 for 440 kgs, £950 for 480 kgs, £870 for 400 kgs, £870 for 420 kgs, £755 for 360 kgs and £710 for 300 kgs. Midweight Charolais heifers sold to £980 for 400 kgs, £980 for 480 kgs, £930 for 490 kgs, £895 for 450 kgs, £845 for 370 kgs, £740 for 340 kgs and £710 for 320 kgs while a Parthenaise at 420 kgs sold for £810.
The bullock ring saw a top price of £1315 paid for a Charolais at 620 kgs, with another Charolais selling at £1100 for 530 kgs. Limousin steers sold at £1000 for 540 kgs and £890 for 490 kgs while Herefords made to £980 for 500 kgs, Blondes to £1170 for 570 kgs and Salers to £1095 for 500 kgs.
Fat cow prices also made the headlines with £1210 paid for a Limousin at 620 kgs with similiar animals at £1170 for 670 kgs, £1070 for 550 kgs, £1045 for 550 kgs and £970 for 530 kgs with the best of the Charolais making £1200 for 630 kgs.
The next sale in Newtownhamilton will be held on Saturday, March 30.
