Farmer appetite for suckler cows with calves at foot remains solid and up to €4,300 was paid for cow-and-calf pairs at Mid-Kerry Co-op Mart in Milltown for its fortnightly cattle sale on Saturday last.

Following the sale, manager Linda Daly, said: “We had a reduction sale of suckler cows with calves at foot, which attracted a lot of interest.

“Trade was exceptionally strong for good continental cows and there was demand for quality lots. They made from €3,000 to €4,300 across the board.

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“There was a lot of farmer interest in these cows both online and at the ringside. They’re on the lookout for replacements and some of the cows had top-quality AI-bred heifer calves and they sold well.

“Numbers continue to stay small, with fewer cattle coming into the mart over the last few weeks. June is always a quiet month for us, as farmers are busy cutting hay and silage, especially with this dry spell.”

Outside of the sucklers, demand was steady for dry cows while store trade was very lively, with a pair of Hereford-cross bullocks weighing 450kg selling for €1,700 (€3.78/kg).

While cattle sales have moved to fortnightly, weekly sheep sales continue every Tuesday in Milltown. The next cattle sale takes place there on Saturday 4 July.

In pictures

This Charolais-cross cow born 25/02/2022 and her Charolais bull calf born 20/03/2026 (844kg combined) sold for €3,950.

This Irish Moiled cow born 19/04/2019 with her EBY-sired Limousin-cross heifer calf born 15/04/2026 (624kg combined) sold for €4,200.

This October 2021-born Charolais-cross cow, not back in calf, with a Limousin-cross heifer calf born 06/04/2026 (766kg combined) sold for €4,300.

This Parthenaise-cross cow born 16/04/2019 and her Charolais-cross heifer calf born 01/05/2026 (716kg combined) sold for €3,000.

This aged March 2015-born Shorthorn-cross cow with a Shorthorn heifer calf born 16/03/2026 (808kg combined) sold for €3,000.