There was a steady trade reported from marts across the country this week, with numbers remaining strong.
There was 500 calves on offer at Kilmallock Mart on Monday, February 13, with numbers expected to rise rapidly in the coming weeks.
A three-week-old Limousin bull calf received the top price of €480 on the day, while the intake of calves for the upcoming sale on Monday, February 20, will now open at 6am so the sale can begin at 9am.
Suckler cows made up to €1,420 per unit at the sale, which attracted some 207 buyers from over the country, a spokesperson for the mart said.
A total of 680 other animals, as well as the 500 calves, went through the sales ring on Monday last.
Heifers made up to €1,640 each or €2.66/kg, as the top price paid for a dry cow was €1,030 or €1.72/kg.
Freshly calved dairy stock hit €1,400 each, while a clearance sale of 60 spring calving dairy cows sold to high of €1,320 each, the spokesperson said.
Ennis Mart
A large sale was held in Ennis Mart on Tuesday, February 14, which included a number of suckler clearance sales.
There was a large entry of weanling bulls at the sale in Co. Clare, with quality lots from 300kg to 450kg in the greatest demand.
The trade for heifer weanlings was driven mainly by exporter demand, with an improved trade reported in all weight categories as heifers weighing from 300-400kg met the strongest demand.
The suckler clearance sales drew a large crowd ringside with in-calf cows averaging €1,245/head, the spokesperson said.
Suckler cows with calves at foot sold from €880 up to €1,725, while in-calf suckler cows and heifers sold from €980 up to a top price of €1,810.
Meanwhile, in-calf dairy cows sold from €645 up to €1,300. Prices of between €1,130 to €1,370 were seen for cull cows at Ennis Mart on Tuesday.
Tuam Mart
A steady trade was reported in Tuam Mart in Co. Galway on Monday, February 13.
On Monday bullocks made from €525-815 over the weight, with a Limousin bullock weighing 735kg making the top price of €1,550 or €2.11/kg.
A top heifer price of €1,460, or €2.26/kg, was received for a Charolais cross animal which weighed 645kg, with other heifers making from €625-815 on top of the weight.
Prices for weanling heifers ranged from €515-650 on top of the weight, with a top price of €1,030, or €2.71/kg, given for a Charolais cross heifer.