There were many who thought that once the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) was over, so was suckling. Up and down the country, people talked about getting out of cows once the scheme finished. The Armageddon-style exit hasn’t materialised and in fact, there’s almost an air of optimism around the suckler side of things.

This 2016-born Salers cow has a five star replacement index and sells six months in calf to the Limousin bull.

Weanlings have been really solid and in-calf heifers have been an exceptional trade all autumn. Farmers who were contemplating getting out have got their “second wind” so to speak and many are willing to go the distance to secure that top-quality animal.

This 2016-born four-star Limousin cow sells seven months in calf to the Charolais bull.

Elphin mart has had a super autumn sales period for both weanlings, dry cows, store cattle and sucklers. The re-emergence of the yellow number plates in the car park - northern customers - has given a lift to the trade. Online bidding has also helped, with distance now no object for many when logging on to bid.

This 2014-born cow has a three star replacement index of €70 and is in calf to the Charolais bull, calving in February.

Next Monday night sees the dispersal of a noted suckler herd in the Roscommon region. Padraig O'Connor was a participant in the Teagasc/Irish Farmers Journal BETTER farm beef challenge programme from 2017-2019. Padraig farms in Knockcroghery between Roscommon and Athlone, and up to now has kept 35 sucklers finishing all progeny through to beef.

This 2015-born five-star Salers cow sells seven months in calf to the Charolais bull.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal ahead of the sale, Padraig said: “I recently set up a power washing business and I just felt I couldn’t take three months off in the spring to go calving. I feel I would be better paid for my time to be out working. Calving cows just doesn’t suit my situation anymore."

Padraig, who also holds a position as the Roscommon Beefplan vice chair, said: “Suckler farmers still aren’t getting paid enough for their stock and that’s what it boils down to.

This 2015-born five-star cow sells seven months in calf to the Charolais bull.

Sucklers suited me when our family was young and I needed to be around the house. That’s not the case now and I’m making the change.”

The 35 cows are Limousin, Salers and Charolais crosses. They are all calving in January, February and March to easy-calving Charolais and Limousin stock bulls. There are 19 five star cows, 13 four star cows, two three stars and a one star cow up for sale.

This 2016-born five-star cow sells six months in calf to the Limousin bull.

The sale will take place in Elphin mart on Monday 30 November at 7.30pm. It will be live on the Irish Farmers Journal Martbids app and buyers who wish to purchase on the night should make sure they are registered and approved to bid by Elphin mart well in advance.