In the past few weeks, there have been a large number of special sales of and entries of in-calf heifers and cows at marts throughout the country.

Some special sales which have attracted great attention year on year have seen very strong prices, with most top-quality in-calf heifers selling for in excess of €2,000/head.

However, these specialised sales do not fully reflect demand in the marketplace.

Where special entries of good-quality heifers and cows are on offer, demand is mixed and mainly centred on better-quality heifers that are square and mature in stature.

Stars are coming into play to some extent also, with farmers thinking ahead of the 2020 BDGP targets, but the star rating overall is not having a huge effect on prices.

At the top of the trade, there are some large square heifers selling for up to €2,000/head, but the majority of top-quality types are selling from €1,700 to €1,900 across the country.

Quality is the main driver of prices, with prices of average-quality in-calf heifers showing signs of milk reaching €1,500 to €1,600/head.

Where the quality on offer is a little poorer, then farmer buyer demand is very mixed at sales, with crossbred in-calf heifers selling from €1,200 to €1,400. Older cows with calves at foot that have not gone back in calf are selling from €1,000 to €1,400 per lot, depending on age and quality.

The main demand for these is from dealers looking to spilt the cows and calves, finish the cows and sell the calves live.

Cow weight, weanling weight and age of the cow are the main factors affecting prices.