Cull cow numbers in marts have increased by 10% over the past three weeks, Martbids analysis shows.
For the week ending 31 October, 2,346 cows were recorded on Martbids, with these cows averaging €2.72/kg.
The top third of cows sold for €3.52/kg, with the bottom third selling for €1.86/kg. Cull cow prices have fallen by as much as 20c/kg in the last two weeks.
The new rules introduced under the TB action plan back in April are having particular impact on the store cow trade, with mart managers across the country reporting no difference in the trade for well-fed short-keep cows that will be finished inside the next two to three months.
Cows which are outside of a six-month TB test and where the herd is also six months out of test, can only be purchased by controlled finishing units (CFUs).
Brendan Egan, manager of Castlerea Mart, highlighted the confusion the rules are causing in marts.
“We are having to explain the rules to farmers still. The lads buying know the craic, but it’s trying to explain it to the sellers, you need cows inside a 30-day TB test to create the most competition among buyers.”
PJ Mulvihill of Listowel Mart told the Irish Farmers Journal: “The rules are causing hassle for some people selling cows and calves, once a heifer calves and becomes a cow she needs to be inside the 30-day test for breeding herds to purchase.
“We’re definitely seeing cows straight out of the parlour and over the six-month test 20c/kg to 40c/kg back on the same cows inside the 30-day TB test.
“There are more buyers for the store cows if they’re tested, the CFU buyers want cows with a quicker turn around maybe four-month feeding max. Most of the lads buying the store cows will graze them for next summer,” Mulvihill said.
