Dairy sales across the country are now on the wind down for the summer months, with several final sales taking place this week.

With farmers eager to get field work done while the sun was shining, both entries and bidders were back in a number of marts this week.

That meant prices were back but still relatively fair, with quality animals in some of the smaller sales still fetching up to and over €1,700/head.

Carnaross mart

One mart which was not shy of entries was Carnaross mart in Co. Meath, as they held an open dairy sale during the week, which included some quality pedigree stock bulls.

The open sale was largely made up of a dispersal sale for a local farmer, with 40 fresh calved cows and heifers and 20 maiden heifers up for grabs.

There was a top price of €2,600 paid out on two separate occasions during the sale.

The first of which was given for a January 2024 born heifer who had calved down three weeks ago.

The heifer had an Economic Breeding Index (EBI) of €5, with a milk sub-index of €74 and a fertility sub-index of €-52.

The second time €2,600 was given in the ring was for October 2022 born cow producing 34L.

Another 30 odd heifers made in excess of the €2,000 mark, some of which are outlined below:

€2,460 for a January 2023 born fresh calver;
€2,440 for a February 2024 born fresh calver;
€2,440 for a March 2024 born fresh calver.

Overall, it was clear to see trade had fallen as the sale finished up with an average price of €1,695/head.

The appetite was lowest for older cows unfit for the parlour with trade dropping as far as €800/head.

Meanwhile demand was steady for quality heifers ready to get milking, while yearlings made as much as €1,120/head.

There was also a selection of stock bulls on the day, with an April 2024 born Angus bull weighing in at 700kg going under the hammer for €3,500.

He was followed by a July 2024 born Angus who weighed 580kg and sold for €3,300.

A January 2025 born Angus weighing in at 550kg made €1,800 while a April 2023 born Hereford at 920kg made €3,400.