Cull cow trade firm backed by solid factory trade

While sales are only just getting back up and running, the trade is holding firm where cows are on offer. In the west and midlands, small numbers of good-quality continental cull cows are coming to the fore, with factory agents still quite active for all fleshed types. Prices of these continue to range between €1.80/kg and €1.95/kg.

In some cases, well-fleshed cows and cow heifers are still making up to €2.00/kg. There is still strong demand for all continental feeding cows, with prices ranging mainly from €1.55/kg to €1.75/kg, with age and quality having a large influence on prices.

Old and thin cows are a slightly harder sell and are making from €1.20/kg to €1.40/kg, with prices dropping back to equivalent with the weight for some thin old cows.

In dairy areas, dairy cull cows are still coming to the fore, but like continental cows, numbers overall are still very small so far. At the bottom of the market, thin and poor-quality cull cows are making from their weight back as far as €200 under the weight. In the main, the majority of parlour cows are selling from their weight to about €150 over the weight. Good-quality Friesian cows carrying flesh are a firm trade on where they were in mid-December. Prices of these cows carrying flesh are ranging mainly from €200 to €350 along with the weight. The higher prices are being received for those cows carrying flesh, who have in many cases been dry for a good period.