The ‘Ladies First Production Sale’ took place on Saturday last, November 2, at Blessington Livestock Mart, Co. Wicklow.
There was a strong entry of 84 in-lamb ewes and eight ewe lambs – from six different flocks – with an overall clearance rate of 65%.
A top of price €2,600 was achieved by Ballyhibben Rhianna, sired by Trannon Panama and out of a Ballyhibben dam by Joint Venture.
The next highest price was €2,000 for a Ballyhibben second crop ewe sired by Castellau Figurehead out of a Ballyhibben bred dam.
Furthermore, six Charollais ewe lambs sold for an average price of €698, with a top price of €1,200 fetched by a lamb from the Knockcroghery flock.
Click on a thumbnail in the galleries (below) to open up a full-size image; once opened you can scroll sideways to see the next picture. Refer to each caption to see details of each lot, including the hammer/sale price.
Ballyhibben flock
The Ballyhibben flock, owned by Michael Power, Co. Limerick, had the largest entry of ewes at the sale. Prices on the day ranged from €400/head up to €2,600/head.
- This single-bearing ewe sold for €650
- This 4-star twin-bearing ewe sold for €670
- This twin-bearing ewe sold for €2,000
Ardcath flock
The Ardcath flock, owned by Eugene O’Sullivan, Ardcath, Co. Meath, had a strong entry of ewes in the sale. At the previous production sale two years ago, Eugene achieved the top price for an in-lamb ewe. It sold for €1,650.
- This twin-bearing ewe sold for €520
- This twin-bearing ewe sold for €700
- This twin-bearing ewe sold for €500
Seefinn flock
The Seefinn flock, owned by Pat Whyte, Kilrossanty, Co. Waterford, had a small entry of ewes at the production sale. All of the shearling ewes from his flock were on offer.
- This twin-bearing ewe sold for €1,400
- This 5-star twin-bearing ewe sold for €720
- This triplet-bearing ewe sold for €700
Ralahine flock
The Ralahine flock, owned by Gerard and Paula O’Leary, Newmarket-On-Fergus, Co. Clare, entered 15 ewes in to the production sale. The ewes were the first to be sold from the flock since it was established in 2011.
- This single-bearing ewe sold for €500
- This triplet-bearing ewe sold for €370
- This triplet-bearing ewe sold for €500
Knockcroghery flock
The Knockcroghery flock, owned by Mark, Declan, and Joe Miley, Ballyglass, Co. Roscommon, entered six ewe lambs in the production sale.
- This twin-bearing ewe lamb went unsold; it was bid to a price of €600
- This 5-star ewe lamb sold for €1,200
- This ewe lamb sold for €620
Rathskeagh flock
The Rathskeagh flock, owned by John Kearney, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, entered 20 ewes in the production sale.
- This single-bearing ewe went unsold; it was bid to a price of €350
- This single-bearing ewe sold for €650
- This twin-bearing ewe sold for €570