The dairy trade is continuing to hold strong across the marts of Ireland this week, with prices up to €3,600 being paid.

The demand remains strong for good quality milking cows, who are ready to enter the parlour immediately and get to work.

Quality in calf heifers, cull cows, and calves are all flying through the marts also.

There was several dairy sales during the week, with domestic trade continuing to drive the trade.

As of Monday, April 13, the new TB rules came into affect, creating some bit of confusion within the marts; however there seems to have been no real affect on trade.

Carnew Mart

Carnew Mart in Co. Wicklow held a strong dairy sale with 150 head on offer during the week, which included the annual production sale of 60 freshly calved heifers from the McNiven Montbeliarde herd.

The top price achieved on the day was €3,600, given for a February-2024-born heifer weighing in at 407kg.

Some other top prices on the day included;

€3,500 for a a March-2024-born heifer (yielding 26L);
€3,200 for a February-2024-born heifer (yielding 32L);
€2,950 for a April-2023-born heifer (yielding 24L);
€2,800 a February-2024-born heifer (yielding 25L).

The majority of heifers sold for between €2,150 and €2,450 on the day, while lighter heifers sold for €1,600 to €1,900.

The mart said that there was a strong demand for springing cows that were due in the next 4-5 weeks, as these made up to €2,800.

The overall dairy sale averaged a price of €1,883/head on the day.

There was a small entry of artificial insemination (AI)-bred Friesian heifer calves, selling for anywhere between €490 and €780.

Bandon

Bandon Mart in Co. Cork also held a large dairy sale during the week, with over 50 head of stock on offer.

A February-2022-born cow achieved the top price of the sale, going under the hammer for €2,680.

The cow had an Economic Breeding Index (EBI) of €164, with a €66 milk sub-index broken into traits of 118kg milk at 7.2kg fat and 9.3kg protein. She also had a €48 fertility sub-index.

Some other top sellers on the day included;

€2,520 for a January-2023-born heifer (€203 EBI);
€2,380 for a February-2024-born heifer (€188 EBI);
€2,360 for a March-2021-born heifer (€164 EBI);