Ennis Mart’s tendering sale for dry cows on Thursday generated strong competition between prospective buyers.

Clare Marts manager Martin McNamara said two factors contributed to the lively sale. Firstly, the quality of cows on offer was reported as excellent with lots of well-fleshed R and U grading types, while, secondly, an increase in factory demand and cow prices saw buyers keen to secure numbers and willing to bid strongly.

Average prices

An analysis of Martbids shows the top third of cows ranged in price from €1.70/kg to €1.95/kg, with a good entry of young cows helping to boost average prices paid.

These two maiden heifers aged 33 and 27 months of age and weighing 650kg and 630kg sold for €1,220 and €1,250 respectively.

There was also a handful of overage Limousin and Shorthorn heifers that did not go in-calf and prices for these ranged from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg on average.

Medium-grade cows

Medium-grade cows showing their age and poorer-quality feeding cows sold from €1.40/kg to €1.50/kg, while aged but good-quality cows and better-quality and younger store cows sold from €1.50/kg to €1.65/kg.

There was also good demand for an entry of eight fleshed Friesian cows weighing anywhere from 520kg to 690kg. These cows also met solid demand and sold from €1.20/kg to €1.34/kg on average.

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