Most of the cows at Bandon Mart's suckler sale on Monday were born between 2012 and 2015, with a handful of older cows. Most of the cows had heifer calves and the sale also included a cow with twins at foot. They sold for €1,710.

Some buyers were on the lookout for animals to top up their herd's replacement indices for the BDGP, but stars had little influence on the prices. The pairs sold from €1,500 up to a top price of €2,000 for a one-star 2012-born Limousin cow with a Charolais calf at foot. The two next-highest priced cows sold for €1,900, with one being one star on the replacement index and the other being five stars. The average price made was €1,681/pair.

There was 130 bullocks on offer, with good demand for all types of stores. Forward Friesian stores were making up to €1.88/kg, with 2017-born Friesian bullocks making from €1.45/kg up to €1.77/kg/. Traditional beef breed crosses of all age ranges mainly made from €2/kg up to €2.15/kg, with a few falling either side of that range.

Bullock sample prices

  • Five Friesian, January, 530kg - €955, €1.80/kg.
  • Thirteen Friesian, February, 610kg - €1,055, €1.73/kg.
  • Two Charolais, February, 535kg - €1,140, €1.80/kg.
  • Three Hereford, February, 611kg - €1,200, €1.96/kg.
  • Eight Hereford, February, 542kg - €1,000, €1.85/kg.
  • Six Angus, March, 490kg - €980, €2/kg.
  • Ten Angus, January, 514kg - €975, €1.90/kg.

    • Cows prices continue to thrive, with more than 120 cows on offer. Prices ranged from €50 to €810 over the €/kg, with Friesian cows freely making €300 with their weight.

    Sample prices

  • One Friesian, 595kg - €1,195, €2.01/kg.
  • One Hereford, 645kg - €1,310, €2.03/kg.
  • One Charolais, 770kg - €1,460, €1.90/kg.
  • One Friesian, 645kg - €955, €1.48/kg.
  • One Friesian, 725kg - €1,340,€1.85/kg.

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