One of the first of the Simmental breeding sales took place in Ballymote over the weekend, with nearly 200 females catalogued. A good trade was witnessed across the sections, resulting in a 90% clearance. Northern Irish buyers were out in force throughout, with 47 of the 163 sold heading across the border.

In-calf heifers proved the most in demand, achieving a 94% clearance with 48 sold. Overall average in this section levelled at €1,865, with a number of breeders exceeding this.

Michael Glennon sold five in this section to average €2,060. One of his top lots was an October 2016-born Clonagh Direct Debit daughter which sold in-calf to Lisnacrann Fifty Cent. This five-star heifer carries a replacement index of €138 and sold for €2,300.

Michael also sold a Jennalyn Ding Dong daughter for €2,250. This March 2017-born heifer sold in-calf to Curaheen Earp, due later this month.

Joe Kelly also sold eight in-calf heifers to average €2,031. Top of these was a price of €2,250 for a Dermody Donal daughter sold in-calf and due February to a stock bull. Paul Cryan saw his average for five sold settle at €1,918. Top of these was the four-star Kilbride Farm Escallop daughter which hit the market at €2,150.

Maiden heifers

The maiden heifer trade also witnessed a high clearance, with an average of over €1,350 achieved. Overall, 74 or 88% of maiden heifers present sold on the day. P Galligan sold four maiden heifers at an average weight of 516kg for €1,567 or €3.03/kg.

John Corless sold nine heifers to average €1,460, with an average weight of 496kg. Top of this lot was an April 2018-born heifer by Cruithill Future, which sold for €2,250. This five-star heifer weighed in at 595kg.

Two other Clonagh Frosty King daughters in this section sold for €2,000 and €1,850 respectively.

In the weanling heifer section, an 83% clearance was achieved at an average price of €2.64/kg. A total of 41 sold on the day to average €995. Eamonn Coyne got his top heifer sold at €1,470. This 355kg heifer sold at €3.43/kg. Matching this price/kilogramme was Declan Oates, who sold a 395kg Monaduff Snorter heifer for €1,700.