Tuesday’s sale at Ennis Mart saw a large suckler clearance sale. According to mart manager Martin McNamara, numbers for Tuesday’s sale had almost doubled on the previous week.

A special entry of in-calf cows and heifers were met with strong demand, with farmers thronging the ringside. The majority of the in-calf cows and heifers on offer were four and five stars on the replacement index.

In-calf cows sold from €1,180 to €1,710, with prices averaging at around €1,300. Demand for the in-calf heifers was very strong. As a result, they sold at an average price of €1,540.

Cows with calves at foot made from €1,290 for older outfits to €1,790 for good-quality younger cows. Bull weanlings were a slightly better trade, with prices said to be up about €20 to €30/head on where they were before Christmas.

Bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg for good-quality types, while top-quality U grades made from €2.70/kg to as much as €2.80/kg. Lighter bulls from 200kg to 300kg sold mainly from €2.50/kg to €2.70/kg. Heifer weanlings were met with strong farmer demand also. Heifers from 300kg to 400kg sold mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg for average-quality types, while lighter heifers from 200kg to 300kg sold mainly from €2.60/kg to €2.80/kg for average-quality types.