Weanling bull prices hit record in active trade

AN active trade among shippers for the pick of the show animals boosted weanling bull prices to a record €4/kg at the 9th Annual National Winter Fair Show and Sale, which was the largest and most successful to date.

The top price at the sale was €3,700 paid for a 430 kg Limousin Weanling Bull, judged Limousin Champion of the Show, exhibited by Joe Connolly, The Leap, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. Weanling bulls sold for up to €3,000 in general and heifers intended for breeding made €1,000 to €1,400. Beef animals were purchased by factory buyers for up to €2.50/kg.

The show was officially opened by John Browne, Minister of State, Department of Agriculture who said that in general the farming community had welcomed the Single Farm Payment which allows them to concentrate on producing what the market place wants and "no longer have their initiative and energies diverted into concerns about retention periods, quotas, census dates and other scheme requirements." He added that the emphasis for the future will be on profitability and efficiency rather than the past emphasis of maximising scale to maximise premium income. Exhibitors from Kilkenny, Tipperary Laois and Donegal shared the awards for breed championships.