This year’s sale was one to remember with over 170 lots on offer on the day. Trade was electric at the Irish Salers Cattle Society heifer sale held in Gort Mart, Saturday 15th October 2022. Judge for the day was experienced stockman Aidan Holohan, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim. Proceedings got underway shortly after 9am with the judging of the pedigree section. The quality of animals turned out for the day made our judge’s job a tricky one with a high number and standard of both maiden and weanling heifers turned out.
Prices were up on last year’s average with the auctioneer on the day reporting a lot of online bidding along with ringside bidders. Top price went to Bernard Hunt, Gurteen, Co Sligo for Sligo Alexa a, 12-month-old Halley daughter. Bernard sold three heifers that averaged €2817/head. Alfie & Conor Melvin, Mulhuddart, Co Dublin sold thirteen heifers averaging €1955/head. Top price for the Melvins was Ashbury Bumble ET which sold for €2900. First prize winner, Belmount Aoife, a Knottown Roy daughter sold for €2640, bred by Brendan Murray, Crookstwon, Co Cork. Brendan averaged €2165/head for four heifers.
Two of the choice heifers of the day Ballyconneely Auburn & twin sister Arusha sold for €2550 and €2100 respectively. They are daughters of Baron and were bred by Terrence Sweeney, Ballyconneely, Co Galway. Second prize weanling heifer Cashelard Beauty, a Manclaux daughter, sold for €2300, bred by Ryan Griffith, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
A standout heifer, Wallstown Audrey, a Hibou daughter sold for €2200, bred by Jerry & Ann McNamara, Kilbehenny, Co Cork. Brendan & Ferdia Joyce, Achill, Co Mayo sold two stylish weanling heifers Roskeel Autumn & Amber to average €2050/head. Youngest calf of the day, March born Classon Bridget, sold for an impressive €1750, bred by David Classon, Ardara, Co Donegal.
Incalf commercial heifers were a flying trade. Top price of €3200 went to PJ Mason, Broadford, Co Clare. She was closely followed at €3100 for a heifer bred by Michael Sullivan, Kilnaboy, Co Clare. Michael Sullivan averaged €2707/head for seven heifers. Quality lots in the commercial section sold from €3/kg to €6/kg. Two Salers cows and baby Charolais calf combinations sold for €3100 and €3000, bred by Joe Mulcair and Gerard O’ Grady respectively.
The weanling average prices was just shy of €1500, up over €500 on last year’s sale while the maiden and in calf heifers saw a significant increase in average price from last year’s sale.
Sellers at this year’s sale were happy with prices received while buyers were more than happy to part with money for excellent quality lots. The sale recorded a 95% clearance rate with prices ranging from €2.12/kg to a healthy €10.08/kg. Talking to mart manager Bernie Fahy on the day she noted that there was a significant increase of new buyers registering to bid on the day, while ringside chatter echoed the strong points of the Salers breed with calving ability to the fore of conversation.
A huge thank you to Gort Mart for their continued support and facilitating of the sale and also to our judge Aidan Holohan who did an excellent job on the day. We also had photographers on the day from Co. Donegal, Glenalla photography, who were there and did a superb job in their coverage of the event. Lastly this sale wouldn’t be possible without our buyers and sellers. This year saw an unprecedented level of interest in the sale and a fresh wave of enthusiasm for the breed. We would like to thank our sellers and wish our buyers the best of luck with their purchases and look forward to seeing you all again next year.
Maiden Heifer Class 1:
1st Prize- Ballyconneely Auburn, Owned by Sean Sweeney Co.Galway (sold for €2550)
2nd Prize- Sligo Alleen, Owned by Bernard Hunt Co. Sligo (sold for €2600)
3Rd Prize- Ashbury Amber, Owned by Alfie & Conor Melvin Co. Dublin (sold for €2200)
Maiden Heifer Class 2:
1st Prize- Belmont Aoife, Owned by Brendan Murray Co.Cork (sold for €2640)
2nd Prize- Cabinhill Alva, Owned by Brian O’Neill Co.Meath (sold for €1600)
3Rd Prize- Wallstown Audrey, Owned by Ann McNamara Co.Cork (€2200)
Weanling Heifer Class:
1st Prize- Ashbury Bumble ET, Owned by Alfie & Conor Melvin (sold for €2900)
2nd Prize- Cahelard Beauty, Owned by Ryan Griffith Co.Donegal (sold for €2300)
3Rd Prize- Classon Bridget, Owned by David Classon Co. Donegal (sold for €1750)
Commercial Section:
Maiden Heifers
1st– Lot 44 Owned by Michael O’Sullivan 710kgs sold for €3100
2nd– Lot 47 Owned by Michael O’ Sullivan 655kgs sold for €2700
3rd– Lot 46 Owned by Michael O’Sullivan 660kgs sold for €2800
1st-Lot 136 Owned by Alfie & Conor Melvin 430kgs sold for €2300
2nd– Lot 138 Owned by Alfie & Conor Melvin 425kgs sold for €2440
3rd– Lot 105 Owned by Ann McNamara 455kgs sold for €1800
Weanling Heifers
1st– Lot 224 Owned by Ryan Griffith 340kgs €1060
2nd– Lot 236 Owned by Padraig Linnane 315kgs sold for €980
3rd– Lot238 Owned by Michael Burke 330kgs sold for €1060