With some calves already on the ground, and many more yet to come, dairy farmers will be keen to know what heifers are making in the mart.

Dairy sales are well and truly under way, with multiple taking place across the country this week, including a clearance sale.

There seems to be mixed reports, with some sales doing well while confidence is still short in other areas as milk prices continue to fall.

Gortatlea Mart

Gortatlea Mart in Co. Kerry held its first dairy sale of the year during the week with, over 50 dairy Friesians heading through the ring.

Cows were up first, ranging between 35 months and 49 months-of-age and weights of 500-720kg.

They made an average price of €2,440 per head, with a high of €2,780 and a low of €1,620.

A fine group of heifers followed, averaging €2,070 apiece with a top bid of €2,720 and a low of €1,500.

Corrin Mart

Corrin Mart in Fermoy, Co. Cork also held a dairy sale during the week, with more than 50 Friesians going under the hammer once again.

The average price per head across the board was €1,694 on the day.

There was a high of €2,500 for a 510kg heifer and a low of €730 for a 280kg heifer.

Carnew Mart

Carnew Mart in Co. Wicklow also held its first dairy clearance sale of the year, with more than 100 heifers and cows making their way through the ring.

There was a high of €2,950 on the day for a two-and-a-half-year-old Friesian due to calf down with an Angus in February.

The in-calf heifer had an Economic Breeding Index (EBI) of €168, producing 6,172kg milk at 5.79% butter fat and 3.81% protein.

In-calf cows averaged €2,034 per head on the day, while in-calf heifers averaged €1,929 per head.

The clearance sale also saw two breeding bulls go up for grabs, with a 785kg Angus making €2,720 and a 572kg Angus making €2,710.