Prices for cull cows increased by nearly €200/head on average for the first six months of the year compared with 2020, Irish Farmers Journal analysis of Martbids data shows.

Data from the past three years also shows significant changes across breeds.

Angus cull cows rose by 28c/kg, or a 19% rise on the same period in 2020, while Hereford cull cows rose by 17%.

The Shorthorn breed saw the biggest change, with prices rising by over 20%, but this was off a smaller data base.

On the continental front, prices are generally up over 20c/kg across the major breeds.

The biggest increase here came from the Simmental breed, with cull cow prices up by 31c/kg, a rise of nearly 20% on the year.

Charolais and Limousin breeds saw a price increase of over 13%.

For dairy cows, full Friesian stock saw a rise of 15c/kg, but on a much lower base price, which means prices are up 12% on 2020 data.

Factory prices

Factory demand for Angus cattle is clearly evident in fed cattle data, with Angus bullock prices rising by 26c/kg on the year.

This increase has Angus cattle over 500kg worth nearly 13.5% more than the same period last year. Angus heifers of the same weight rose by 11% on the year.

Belgian Blue, Salers and Parthenaise cattle saw the biggest rise for heifers, but off much smaller numbers of cattle.

Overall, prices have continued to increase over the past two months, so shorter-term data would show an even bigger increase on the year.