The past few weeks have seen the number of cull cows on offer increase once more across the country.

In the south, the supply is strongest, with farmers choosing to offload dairy culls a little earlier this year.

The Milk Supply Reduction Scheme may be having a slight effect on this, but many mart managers have said that numbers are not running too much higher than the same time last year.

Where Friesian culls are on offer straight from the parlour and not carrying much flesh, prices of €0.80kg to €0.95/kg are common.

Where lesser-quality crossbred cows are on offer, prices of €0.60/kg to €0.80/kg are reported.

In the main, they are averaging at €0.90/kg to €1.00/kg in many areas.

Better-quality Friesian cows carrying some flesh are making from €1.20/kg to €1.45/kg.

Continentals

Continental cows have seen prices slip by €20 to €50 again in the past week or two, with prices of average-quality culls making from €1.45/kg to €1.55/kg for good-quality young feeding cows.

Plainer and older cows are selling from €1.35/kg to €1.45/kg.

Cows carrying flesh are making from €1.65/kg to €1.75/kg, with only young cow heifers and top-quality short-keep and slaughter-fit cows making €1.80/kg to €1.85/kg.

Mart manager’s comment

The trade has been a little weaker in the past few weeks, especially in the heifer ring. Demand for light store heifers, particularly Angus and Herefords, has weakened a lot and the heifer ring is noticeably quieter. In terms of the cow trade, there have been more coming straight out of the parlour. Despite higher numbers of cows on offer, demand has been reasonably good. Prices have eased, but this is normal for the time of year and the cow has to be fed at a cost at the end of the day. The average parlour cow is making €0.80/kg to €1.05/kg, with better-quality types making up to €1.20/kg. Fleshed cows are making from €150 to €300 over, depending on weight.