Sale prices for calved dairy heifers are holding close to last year’s levels, despite the uncertainty prompted by changes to the nitrates action programme and talk of a possible slide in milk prices this spring.

Calved heifers are generally making between €1,600 and €2,000/head, as tight numbers, good demand and excellent cull cow prices help to underpin the trade.

“Calved heifers are scarce enough. They’re not coming out in big numbers,” said Seán Leahy of Corrin Mart in Fermoy.

Leahy said that calved heifers from commercial herds were generally making between €1,600 and €1,900/head.

Strength

However, he maintained that prices are likely to strengthen through March and April as demand increases but numbers remain tight.

“I don’t see a massive number of clearance sales coming this spring,” he explained.

In-calf heifers are selling for between €1,300 and €1,700/head, Leahy added.

Denis Kirby of Kilmallock Mart said heifers were very scarce to date, with prices for those on offer ranging from €1,800 to €2,200/head.

Michael Harty of Central Auctions agreed that numbers of calved heifers remain extremely tight.

“Good calved heifers are not plentiful,” he commented.

Fourteen freshly calved heifers from a high-EBI herd sold recently to a top of €2,740/head in Nenagh, he said, with many making in excess of €2,000/head.

Harty said €1,500 to €1,600/head was paid for four “handy calved heifers” out of commercial herds. He added that a further batch made between €1,660 and €1,900/head.

Cow demand

Demand for cows was also holding strong, Harty maintained.

A recent clearance sale of 55 cows, that are due to calve down in February and March, saw prices ranging from €1,500 to over €2,000/head.

A lot of cows sold between €1,500 and €1,600/head, he said.