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Where special entries of top-quality cows are on offer, prices are very strong. Where good-quality, young in-calf cows are on offer, prices are ranging mainly from €1,450 to €1,750, with the majority making around €1500/head.
However, where cow/heifer quality is not good or where demand is poor, then prices of €1,200 to €1,400 are common. In some cases, farmers sourcing autumn-calvers are tending to focus more on calved cows than cows with calves at foot.
The reasons for tending towards a calved cow is that the risk of losses are reduced and the early calved cow allows for more time to go back in calf within the breeding window. Where these types of cows are on offer, prices paid are averaging from €1,500 to €1,800 in some areas.
However, where calf quality is poor or the cow is old or of poor quality, then prices can be back to about €1,200 in some areas. The number of autumn-calving dairy cows on offer is low. There are some reports of farm-to-farm sales, but numbers through marts are very low. For farm-to-farm movements prices are said to range from €1,200 to €1,400 depending on quality, EBI and breeding.
Prices for fleshed cows hold
The cull cow trade has firmed up again slightly, while thin Friesians straight from the parlour are variable and selling mainly from €0.85/kg to €1.00/kg.
There are some fleshed Friesian cows coming to the fore, but the numbers on offer overall are quite low. Prices are highly dependent on the quality of cows on offer, with better quality O grade British Friesians making from €1.65/kg to €1.75/kg, and some plainer short keep or factory fit types selling mainly from €1.55/kg to €1.65/kg.
Where continental feeding cows are on offer, prices of €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg are common, while lighter and plainer continentals are selling from €1.50/kg to €1.70/kg.
Fleshed cows in the main are selling from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg, with young and top-quality types selling to over €2.00/kg and up to €2.10/kg in some areas.
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