Runner calfs

Burrenfarmer99

What is a good mart to sell runner type stock say under 200 kg

orm0nd

Ennis in the runner ring if they are under 6 months

Burrenfarmer99

orm0nd wrote: »

Ennis in the runner ring if they are under 6 months

Gone over 6 months might not sell well in the weanling ring

Lady Haywire

Burrenfarmer99 wrote: »

Gone over 6 months might not sell well in the weanling ring

If they're over 6 months they're not runners.

Hoof_Harted

Skibbereen Mart for me. Got 600 for 2 sucklers late last year.

Burrenfarmer99

Lady Haywire wrote: »

If they're over 6 months they're not runners.

Some marts there is no age restrictions for runners

Lady Haywire

Burrenfarmer99 wrote: »

Some marts there is no age restrictions for runners

Just because there isn't, it doesn't mean common sense shouldn't apply. Those type of lightish stock can sell very well in the weanling ring if they're not b&w poor sort of stock. You've definitely more buyers looking at them who are out for reared animals. I used to see the same men every week looking for older calves between the runners as they're usually cheaper & can pick up a bargain.

Albert Johnson

I agree re the age restrictions in the runner ring in some marts. Many runner sales however have no age limit and thus get weanlings entered that are aged, poorly done but the size of runners.

I've observed this practice more closely of late as our local mart has recently started grouping the runners in a designated bunch and selling them separately. The term runner is loosely applied as there's no age limit and lads book whatever they wish regardless of age. It may be different in other marts but it seems to work well so far and numbers are increasing weekly.

In fact I believe that it has lifted the price of light calves and backward weanlings as buyers interested in these stock have a dedicated group to select from. Previously they would had to wait round the weanling ring for the runners to come up, this was sporadic depending on which pen of weanlings they were in. Many lads wouldn't wait half the night for 1 or 2 calves so potential buyers were reduced. These lads now know to come at a set time as all the runners are grouped and sold together which is much more convenient for all involved.

I find it amazing that stock that previously would have been shunned in the weanlings often make much more through the runners. A dedicated group of buyers is much easier to achieve by selling them separately imo. Others must share my thoughts as many marts in the west anyway seem to have adopted the practice where it was rare only a few years ago.

Burrenfarmer99

Albert Johnson wrote: »

I agree re the age restrictions in the runner ring in some marts. Many runner sales however have no age limit and thus get weanlings entered that are aged, poorly done but the size of runners.

I've observed this practice more closely of late as our local mart has recently started grouping the runners in a designated bunch and selling them separately. The term runner is loosely applied as there's no age limit and lads book whatever they wish regardless of age. It may be different in other marts but it seems to work well so far and numbers are increasing weekly.

In fact I believe that it has lifted the price of light calves and backward weanlings as buyers interested in these stock have a dedicated group to select from. Previously they would had to wait round the weanling ring for the runners to come up, this was sporadic depending on which pen of weanlings they were in. Many lads wouldn't wait half the night for 1 or 2 calves so potential buyers were reduced. These lads now know to come at a set time as all the runners are grouped and sold together which is much more convenient for all involved.

I find it amazing that stock that previously would have been shunned in the weanlings often make much more through the runners. A dedicated group of buyers is much easier to achieve by selling them separately imo. Others must share my thoughts as many marts in the west anyway seem to have adopted the practice where it was rare only a few years ago.

Was in carrigallen one sat thought there was good trade for the runner type weanlings regardless of age