The year got off to a slow start at Carnaross on Monday 11 January, with less than 500 lots for sale. There were about 250 lots of bullocks, 200 lots of heifers and 50 lots of cows. Despite the lack of numbers, prices saw a slight increase from the last sale of 2015.

High-quality Charolais and Limousin forward store bullocks weighing 550kg to 650kg made €2.09/kg to €2.30/kg. There was a low number of 2014-born bullocks, that would likely achieve the QPS bonus, for sale. As a result, the lots that were available sold for up to €2.45/kg. Bullocks weighing from 370kg to 550kg sold from €2.17/kg to €2.35/kg, with some suckler-bred continentals making up to €2.41/kg. Lighter animals and dairy crossbreds sold as far back as €1.70/kg.

There was a good trade for heifers, with heifers fit for slaughter and good-quality animals selling from €2.10/kg to €2.40/kg. The highest-quality lots sold up to €2.45/kg. R and U grade heifers weighing from 380kg to 450kg sold from €2.15/kg to €2.43/kg. Dairy crossbreds and plainer lots sold for as far back as €1.45/kg.

There was good demand for cows also, with good-quality R grade cows making €1.40 /kg to €1.75/kg. Continental breeds, fit for slaughter and weighing 550kg to 700kg, sold for €1.45/kg to €1.90/kg. Demand for young and less fleshy cows was low , meaning they sold for as low as €1.15/kg to €1.35/kg