In-calf cows are a good trade also, but buyers are more anxious for those with a calf at foot, as the risk of losses at calving is avoided.

Where in-calf heifers are on offer, buyers are anxious for those bred to AI bulls with low calving difficulties and strong reliabilities.

Where cows and calves are on offer with stars, this is also a bonus in the sales ring.

Cow/calf units

Average-quality cow and cow units are selling from €1,450 to €1,800 per lot, with top-quality choice lots making over €2,000 in some areas. Prices are averaging around €1,600/lot. Sellers in the main are reluctant to sell for less than €1,400 per pair.

However, in certain cases where cows are old, and cow and calf quality are poor, prices are back as far as €1,100/pair.

In the majority of cases, buyers of these plainer lots will be looking at the option of splitting the pair and selling on the weaned calf while feeding the cow on for slaughter.

In terms of in-calf heifers and cows, as said previously, stock bull information is critical at sale and cows with four or five stars are also seeing slightly better demand than those without figures.

Prices of these are ranging mainly from €1,400 to €1,600, with some higher prices being recorded for better-quality types of up to €1,900.