Carrigallen mart in Co. Leitrim has seen an increase in dry cow numbers over the pats few weeks and according to mart manager Helen Kells, this is down to a number of reasons. Firstly many farmers are capitalising on a strong dry cow trade and either replacing cows with incalf heifers or reducing numbers. We have seen some farmers under pressure for fodder and they are choosing to sell some stock rather than purchase extra fodder. The general run of cows made €300-€350 with their weight with some exceptional heavy well-fleshed cows hitting €600-€700 with their weight.

Sucklers

In the suckler ring there were 40 lots including a special entry of 10 pedigree Limousin cows from a local breeder getting out of suckling. These cows sold in calf to a pedigree Limousin bull calving in March. The top price here was €2,020 for a 2011 born cow by Lino. A pedigree Hereford bull from local breeder Gretta McCabe met a flurry of bids and was sold for €2,350. Click on the camera roll to see a variety of prices in both the suckler and dry cow rings.