Camera at the mart attended the weekly dairy sale in Ballymena Livestock Market on Friday last. Despite the poor weather conditions, there was another strong showing of dairy stock on offer.

Buyer demand was strong, as farmers and buying agents competed directly for freshly calved heifers and cows.

Mart manager Sam McNabney reported on the excellent quality of dairy stock for sale, adding that with prices running to over £2,000 on calved heifers most weeks, buyers are eager to source top-quality stock.

Dairy sales have been strong right throughout the autumn period, reflecting the increased confidence in the milk sector on the back of higher prices.

Demand was greatest for freshly calved heifers, especially animals that exhibited plenty of frame and good udder development. But cows in their second and third lactation also sold well, as did a small entry of bulls offered for sale.

The sale reached a peak price of £2,080 for a freshly calved Holstein heifer from Adams Farms, Cloughmills, Co Antrim.

The same vendor also sold heifers to £2,000 and £1,800 for late 2015- to early 2016-born animals.

Other noted prices saw £1,830 paid for a November 2015-born Holstein heifer, with £1,820 paid for another heifer of similar age.

Several lots sold from £1,500 to £1,650 for Holstein heifers calved three to four weeks in good body condition and a good showing of milking potential.

Second-calved cows and third-calved animals sold well, with prices reflected in the quality of stock on sale.

Second-calving cows sold at a general price range of £1,200 to £1,400, with a small entry of third-lactation animals also selling strongly at a similar price range.

In-calf heifers sold to just over £1,000 for good-quality Holstein animals. A limited entry of Ayrshire were also offered for sale, but were an easier trade in comparison to Holstein cattle.

Pedigree Friesian bulls sold to a top price of £1,760 for a young animal bred by DJ and S Allen of Limavady, Co Derry.

Friesian bull calves sold to £180 per head on a couple of occasions, with £100 to £170 paid for stronger lots and £50 to £60 paid on younger calves.

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