Top Kanturk heifer fetches €2,550

Marts: An outstanding heifer was judged overall champion at the Annual Fat Stock Show and Sale at Kanturk Mart before being sold for €2,550 to a local supermarket.

The Belgian Blue heifer was exhibited by Denis O’Connor, Ballinaltig, Castlecor, Mallow. The heifer weighed 765kg and was purchased by Twohig’s Super Valu Supermarket, Kanturk.

Reserve Champion was another Belgian Blue — a bullock — exhibited by Edward Vaughan, Ballynaquirke, Kanturk, and after adding the coveted award for the best bullock in the show, sponsored by Charleville Foods, was purchased by Jennings Beef Processors, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo. The Reserve Champion weighing 740kg made 2,600.

The Duhallow Championship, for the best baby beef produced in the Duhallow area, was awarded to a heifer exhibited by Anthony O’Connor, Cullen, Mallow, weighing 630kg sold for €2,000. There was an excellent entry of outstanding show cattle, which was reflected in the prices paid for the quality animals at the sale which followed the judging. A Belgian Blue bullock weighing 680kg sold for €1,670, a Charolais bullock weighing 825kg made €1,870, a Belgian Blue bullock weighing 830kg made €1,600, and a Charolais heifer weighing 680kg made €1,650.

There was a slightly smaller entry of stock at Bandon Mart yesterday, but the trade was reported to have held very solid with the best of the demand for the forward bullocks which sold for up to €320 over. The heavy bullocks ranged €180 over to €250 over and the light Freisians made €70 over to €160 over.

The best of the heavy continental heifers sold for up to €220 over.

There was over 1,100 head on offer at Ennis Mart yesterday where there was a very good trade for the quality bullocks which sold for up to€450 over — the top price going for a pair of Charolais weighing 823kg sold for €1,275.

Heifers ranged €170 over to €390 over.