Donegal breeders sell heifer calf for €12,800 at Stranorlar sale

The annual Elite Commercial Haltered Cattle Show and Sale was held at Ballybofey and Stranorlar Mart in Co. Donegal, in north-west Ireland, on 6 and 7 November. The show took place on the Friday, when 229 cattle went under the hammer. Mart manager Brian Crawford told the agricultural news site Agriland that prices were generally not as high as in other years, but that the best cattle still sold very well.

Top prices

The sale's top price went to 'Trueman Idol', a heifer calf out of a purebred Belgian Blue cow. Born in October 2025 and owned by Liam and Katie Dolan of Co. Donegal, she sold for €12,800. The second-highest price, €10,800, was paid for a Belgian Blue heifer from Rodney McLaughlin, also of Co. Donegal.

The overall champion was a Limousin-cross heifer born in February 2026 and owned by Martin McLaughlin. Weighing 418kg, she sold for €7,100.

Demand and market

Of the 229 cattle offered, 90% were sold. In total, 52 animals went to buyers from Northern Ireland. The mart manager stressed that Northern Irish demand is currently driving the market. He said the quality and standard of the cattle had stepped up again this year, even though trade was back very slightly.

Other sample prices included a 282kg Charolais-cross bull born in June 2026, which sold for €3,900; a Belgian Blue heifer sired by 'Priceless' and out of a pedigree Simmental cow, which made €5,000; a Charolais heifer, which sold for €7,000; and an 830kg Limousin-cross heifer, which went for €6,400. After the sale, Crawford said Limousin crosses and Blue heifers remain the most sought-after breeds, and these animals took the top honours at the sale.