With grass growth starting to slow and mixed grazing conditions prevailing, the number of in-calf dairy heifers coming on stream is increasing. The majority are being offered for farm-to-farm movements, with the main supply in larger bunches and few small numbers on offer.
With grass growth starting to slow and mixed grazing conditions prevailing, the number of in-calf dairy heifers coming on stream is increasing.
The majority are being offered for farm-to-farm movements, with the main supply in larger bunches and few small numbers on offer.
Where groups of high-EBI heifers are being offered in larger bunches, current prices range mainly from €1,000 to €1,200/head.
In many cases, sellers are starting at €1,200, with deals finishing close to €1,000 to €1,050 where large groups are on offer. The majority of these are February or early March calving AI-bred stock.
Where the EBI is low or where there is much more Holstein background in the heifers, those scanned in-calf are selling mainly from €950 to €1,050.
Autumn-calving cows
The number of autumn-calving cows and heifers on offer are limited. As a result, prices are starting strong, with nice-quality springing heifers selling mainly from €1,200 to €1,400, with those selling top-quality and well-bred types looking for over €1,500/head.
There are some groups of reared spring-born heifer calves on offer. However, the majority of those being sold are later-born calves. Pay close attention to weight for age when sourcing these calves. Prices are ranging from €380/head for those without figures to €420 to €450/head for well-bred heifers that are on target weight-wise.
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