Strong beef trade keeping a firm floor under cull cow prices

A continued strong beef demand, and in particular a strong trade for manufacturing beef, has placed a firm floor under the price of cull cows in marts.

Nathan Tuffy

13 December 2017

Strong beef trade keeping a firm floor under cull cow prices

The number of Friesian cows on offer continues to be strong, with cow sales in the south now predominantly Friesians.

The trade for these is holding well and where good Friesian cows are coming to the fore with a good cover of flesh, prices of €1.15/kg to €1.30/kg are being paid.

In general, average-quality culls straight from the parlour are selling from their weight to €100 over. However, where thin cows and light Jersey-cross cows are on offer, prices of €50 to €100 under the weight are being recorded.

Well-fleshed young continental cows continue to be a very good trade, with prices of €500 to €700 over.

Forward store cattle in demand at Enniscorthy

Calf prices firm but value in runners

Solid trade for dairy cattle at Ballymena Mart

In-calf heifers up €100/head on average on last year

RELATED STORIES

Tommy Moyles

Camera at the Mart: super trade for dry cows and calves in Bandon

The dry cow trade this autumn in Bandon Mart is in stark contrast to this time last year. Buyers are anxious for numbers and competition is very active at ringside, especially for well-fleshed cows.

Grace Hoare

Strong demand for cull cows

Four mart managers discuss recent cull cow prices across the country, who is buying them and their outlook for cow sales on the backend of the year.

Peter McCann

Moving from sheep to low input sucklers

Reno and Nic Renison run a low input upland farm in the north of England.

Traditional hay milk farming makes a profitable comeback in Austria

Contributor

Traditional hay milk farming makes a profitable comeback in Austria

While Johann Schinwald farms using the traditional Austrian hay milk method, he has invested in modern technology to make this work. Claire McCormack reports.