Where slaughter-fit cows are on offer, they remain reasonably steady, with young cows and cow heifers still fetching prices of €1.95/kg to €2.00/kg in some areas.

However, the majority of heavy fleshed cows continue to sell from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg, with only well-muscled types beating the €1.95/kg mark.

While these fleshed and short-keep types are holding the best, demand for feeding cows has slipped a little more, particularly where backward feeding cows are on offer.

Good-quality continental-bred feeding cows are selling mainly from €1.50/kg to €1.70/kg or from €350 to €400 over, with some better-quality feeding types making up to €500 over.

Old and thin continental feeding cows are a more variable trade and are making from €1.35/kg to €1.50/kg or from €220 to €325 over the weight.

The number of fleshed Friesian cows or short-keep Friesians passing through marts remains low right across the country.

Where Friesians carrying flesh are on offer, prices of up to €1.60/kg are being achieved, while feeding cows are selling from €1.20/kg to €1.35/kg for warm types and from €0.80/kg to €1.10/kg for thin and old types straight from the parlour.

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