Monday’s sale a Carlow Mart saw a relatively good start to the new year’s trading.

There were about 200 head on offer, with plenty of buyers for all types. There were almost 60 head of calves on offer. Friesian calves sold mainly from €120/head to €180/head, with the average at just over €160/head. Lesser quality calves sold mainly from €60/head to €100/head. The number of Angus calves on offer was low, with prices running from €210/head to €320/head. Herefords sold mainly from €210/head to €320/head, with prices averaging at about €280/head.

There were about 60 cull cows on offer. The trade for these was pretty steady once again, with feeders active for all types. Friesian cull cows sold mainly from their weight to €330 over, with most making from €100 to €160 over. Better quality Hereford and Limousin cows made from €350 to €485 over.

The heifer trade was steady. Forward stores over 500kg sold from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg. Lighter types sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.25/kg, with some plainer types making from €1.85/kg to €2.00/kg. Forward store bullocks from 500kg to 600kg sold mainly from €1.95/kg to €2.10/kg for continentals while Friesians made from €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg. Stores from 400kg to 500kg sold from €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg for continentals and €1.50/kg to €1.80/kg for Friesians.