The strong appetite for cull cows has been a particularly bright feature of the mart trade since sales resumed in 2024.

The brisk live trade with prices comparing favourably to deadweight returns is reported to be attracting more cows to the ring.

Castlerea Mart in Co Roscommon had in excess of 120 cows booked in for its general sale on Thursday last.

Inclement weather and tricky travelling conditions curtailed entries, but upwards of 80 cows still went under the hammer.

In the region of 85% of cows were of continental and traditional breeds and these recorded a fine average of €2.33/kg.

A handful of cow heifers topped prices paid in terms of price per kilo, with returns exceeding the €3/kg bracket and rising to €3.23/kg or €2,260 paid for a 700kg Belgian Blue-cross 2020-born cow.

General run

The general run of prices paid for excellent-quality or U grading type cows ranged from €2.40/kg to €2.65/kg.

The main run of cows were good O+ and R grading cows and prices here ranged in the main from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg.

There was no shortage of demand for cows lacking flesh, with continental-bred cows with an average to poor cover of flesh selling from €1.77/kg to €2.10/kg.

This statement was also true for Friesian cows, with over a dozen on offer. The cows were small-framed cows with New Zealand Friesian and Jersey breeding in the mix.

Cows weighing 500kg to 550kg and possessing an average cover of flesh sold from €1.50/kg to €1.70/kg.

Lighter cows weighing 450kg to 490kg with an average cover of flesh sold from €1.25/kg to €1.38/kg, while small-framed cows with a poor cover of flesh sold from €1.10/kg to €1.20/kg on average, with buyers active for all types.