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Last Monday night’s sale at Elphin Mart saw a strong trade for a special entry of over 90 in-calf suckler heifers calving January to March. Mart manager Gerry Connellan said that despite the large entry, there was strong demand for all top-quality heifers. Farmers were most active for strong, good-quality heifers.
The best-quality types on the day sold from €1,700 to €2,100/head. The main demand saw prices range mainly from €1,400 to €1,700, with the average price running at about €1,550/head. There were some lighter and plainer heifers that were not as well done bid to prices of €1,200 to €1,300, but went unsold.
Gerry said that there was strong demand for cull cows and, in some instances, prices were up on where they were before the Christmas break. In terms of continental prices, the strongest demand was for factory-fit and short-keep types, with some U grade cows making up to €1.85/kg. The main trade saw feeding cows sell from €1.55/kg to €1.75/kg.
There was a small entry of weanlings on offer also and demand was firm. According to Gerry, prices of weanlings were similar to before Christmas.
Good-quality bulls and heifers over 300kg sold mainly from €800 to €900, with average-quality types making from €700 to €800. Commission rates are €1.8% to the seller and €9 to the buyer.
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