Trade was described as steady at Castleisland Co-op Mart’s dairy show and sale by mart manager John Humphreys. While stand-out prices were few and far between, nonetheless there was a good average price in the region of €1,180 for calved cows and in-calf heifers. Similar to the beef trade, Humphreys said that: “The demand is there for quality stock.”

This January 2018 born heifer, in calf to an AI Angus and due in February sold for €1,500.

He noted that: “Farmers are prepared to sell quicker this year. Other years, they would be tougher and they’d be holding out for a bit more. Clearances in the region of 70% would be common enough most years, but very few went unsold this time around.”

This was reflected in a clearance rate of 95%.

This calved cow sold for €1,110.

Springers due to calve down in January and February made up the bulk of the numbers and about 90% of these sold for between €1,000 and €1,200.

There was a share of recently-calved cows on offer and these sold for up to €1,510, with the majority selling for between €1,000 and €1,300.

Calved a week, this cow made €1380.

Prices for weanling Friesian heifers born in spring 2019 varied from €300 for younger stock to a top of €490. The most of what was on offer in this category sold for between €420 and €450.

Commission is 1.5% for sellers and €15 per animal for buyers. Entry fee is €2/head.

This in calf heifer due in February made €1,500.

This heifer due in February sold for €1,200.