This week’s sale in Mid Tipp Mart saw a slight increase in cull cow numbers, with beef cattle still holding firm.

Store cattle are beginning to come under some pressure from grass buyers badly affected from the drought.

Mart manager Ciara Ryan said: “We’re in a big dairy county and the bulk of cattle on offer were from dairy origin, but the suckler-type stock are remaining a super trade, with a number of local finishers buying them up.

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“We had a small increase in the cull cow numbers this week. Trade is remaining steady, with €2.50/kg to be got for cows in good order and with a decent flesh cover.

Stores

“Your store cow is selling from €2.10/kg up to €2.30/kg, with a small number of cows falling short of the €2/kg mark that have a heavy Jersey influence.

“We haven’t seen the new TB rules affecting trade. Cows in good order are being bought up by the local CFU herds and they are fighting it out to source the cows.

“I would encourage farmers if they have cows lacking flesh to up the feed or make sure they are in test when selling.

“If the rain comes and we get a burst of growth, there will hopefully be more grass buyers back around the ring.

“Overall, beef cattle remain a good trade, with bullocks up 10c/kg on last week.

“There seems to be better bite from the factory agents for them heavy cattle. Heavy bullocks are selling from €3.50/kg upwards, with €4/kg and more to be got for the suckler-bred bullocks.

Drought effect

“We are seeing farmers start to sell the store cattle earlier this year on the back of the drought.

“Trade is holding ok for the better-type cattle. We actually had a number of buyers from the west down buying cattle for grass where they aren’t as affected.

“Store bullocks sold from €3.30/kg upwards, with better bullocks knocking on the door of €4/kg and your suckler-bred lads crossing the €4/kg mark.

“We are seeing the bottom third of cattle being affected from the drought, as grass buyers aren’t out yet on the back of the drought and we’re seeing the likes of store Friesian-cross bullocks harder sold.

“Bullocks with a poor flesh cover and needing another year at grass are falling short of €3/kg, selling from €2.80/kg to €2.90/kg,” she said.

In pictures

These five Angus-cross bullocks weighing 729kg and born 03/02/24 sold for €2,490 (€3.42/kg).

This Charolais-cross cow weighing 775kg and born 17/02/12 sold for €2,300 (€3.04/kg).

These six Charolais-cross bullocks weighing 482kg and born 19/02/25 sold for €1,680 (€3.48/kg).

This pair of Jersey-cross cows weighing 490kg and born 14/02/17 sold for €900 (€1.83/kg).

These four Simmental-cross bullocks weighing 522kg and born 10/02/25 sold for €1,770 (€3.39/kg).

This Friesian-cross cow weighing 580kg and born 12/02/17 sold for €1,490 (€2.56/kg).

This Charolais-cross cow weighing 885kg and born 19/03/13 sold for €2,510 (€2.83/kg).

This Jersey-cross cow weighing 595kg and born 28/02/19 sold for €1,290 (€2.16/kg).

This Belgian Blue-cross bullock weighing 460kg and born 11/02/25 sold for €1,660 (€3.60/kg).

This Friesian-cross cow weighing 540kg and born 24/02/18 sold for €1,180 (€2.10/kg).

This Friesian cow weighing 665kg and born 05/01/23 sold for €1,930 (€2.90/kg).