Prices for suckler heifers hit a record €9,000 last weekend as confidence in the suckler sector rebounds.

Replacement in-calf heifers and all types of breeding stock are meeting strong farmer demand. Elphin Mart hit a new record last Friday night when €9,000 was paid for a 2018-born Charolais/Simmental in-calf heifer.

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A special sale of 50 in-calf heifers averaged €3,017, up €537 on last year’s sale.

“It’s been a few years since we have seen the confidence that exists in the trade at the moment,” said mart manager Gerry Connellan.

Over 100 suckler cows were sold last Saturday in Roscrea with a top of €4,110 being paid for a cow and calf. Mart manager Michael Harty said: “We had a real solid trade with buyers from all over, including a lot from Northern Ireland.