The number of dairy cull cows has increased slightly in the past week, with further increases expected in the weeks ahead.

A combination of a good milk price, good grazing conditions and farmers trying to make up on lost milk supplies during the drought has resulted in them holding on to culls longer to get as much milk out of them as possible.

With grass supplies nearing an end in many areas, dairy farmers are offloading cull and empty cows now in order to conserve silage supplies over the winter period.

While the cull cow trade in marts has been steady right through the last few months, the past week has seen prices slip back a little further due to the increased supply.

In the main, the majority of cows are selling from €0.90/kg to €1.10/kg, provided that they are carrying a little flesh.

Better-quality British Friesian cows in flesh are selling from €1.20/kg to €1.30/kg, but few are making much more, regardless of the level of flesh.

Demand is said to be strong from feeders, so it is expected that there will be good demand, as numbers increase further.

However, Jersey-cross cows, old cows and thin cows are a more variable trade at most marts.

As a result, prices are ranging mainly from €0.60/kg to €0.80/kg for thin Jerseys, with some Jersey-cross cows making close to the weight.

The increased number of dairy cull cows is having an effect on the prices of cull suckler cows also, with some mart managers saying that prices of store cows and older cows have slipped slightly again in the past week or two.

At the top of the market, there are only a few well-conformed cows and cow-heifers reaching the €2.00/kg mark, with the majority of fleshed cull cows selling from €1.75/kg to €1.85/kg, depending on cover. Store cows are a little easier, with the majority selling from €350 to €450 along with the weight.