There was an easier trade at last week’s sale of dairy cattle in Dungannon Mart, hosted by Taaffe Auctions.

Just over 40 cattle were forwarded for sale, well down on the previous sale at the end of November.

The prospect of lower milk prices in 2018, and a smaller number of buyers around the ring, made for a slow start to the sale.

Eventually, momentum started to pick up and all lots forwarded were sold. While the average was down on previous sales to just over £1,800, good-quality stock were still a good trade and sold to a peak of £3,000.

Top price

The top-priced animal was bred by the McLean family from Donaghmore. The heifer calved on 10 December, was yielding 34 litres and secured the reserve champion title in the pre-show sale.

The champion heifer was bred the Haffey Family, Lurgan. Calved on 28 November and yielding 33 litres, the animal sold for £2,200.

Other noted prices saw the McLean family secure £2,380, £1,980 and £1,900 for calved heifers, while the Patton family, Newtownards, sold heifers to £2,530 for an animal calved on 6 November and yielding 40 litres.

They also bred the champion cow in milk, a second calver yielding 48 litres, which made £2,650.

A small entry of Jersey heifers from the Waterhill herd sold to a peak of £1,580 for an animal calved on 4 December and yielding 18 litres.