The first week of 2021 was a quiet one for most marts around the country. We saw a number of marts choosing to postpone their reopenings due to rising Covid-19 cases.

Of the marts that did open, the numbers entered were reported to be small which can be expected for the time of year. In terms of trade, managers have been stating that last week buyers were a bit more demand for cull cows and forward cattle.

Prices reported saw continental cows selling at highs of €1.82/kg up to €2.05/kg in some marts, which would be similar to concluding 2020 prices. General prices for more store-type continental cows ranged from €1.30/kg up to €1.70/kg.

In the store cattle trade, some farmers are still in want of the lighter stores with no set back reported. Hereford store heifers were averaging at €1.81/kg up to €1.93/kg for heavier types. Meanwhile, Angus store heifers were selling well, averaging at €2.03/kg.

Continental store bullocks were a similar trade to what was reported before Christmas, with prices for lighter bullocks reported to be averaging €2.22/kg, while heavier stores are trading at €2.26/kg.

This week AgriLand takes a look at the recent sales of cattle in Ennis and Dowra Marts.

Ennis Mart

Ennis Mart held its first cattle sale of 2021 on Thursday, January 7. Reporting on the sale, a spokesperson for the mart stated: “Numbers were small in all categories but trade was good all round.”

In the cow ring, the selection on offer mainly consisted of dairy type cull cows. Speaking on the prices recorded and customers, it was stated: “The trade opened a shade stronger than it finished in 2020.”

“Everything is online now and worked perfectly, with 12 customers buying online without viewing the stock beforehand.”

The top price recorded in the cull cows witnessed a Charolais cow weighing 765kg selling for €2.00/kg or €1,390.

Dowra Mart

The cattle sales at Dowra Mart returned to action on Saturday (January 9), with 160 lots on offer consisting of dry cows, weanlings, bulls, bullocks and heifers. Commenting on the sale, the mart’s manger Terry McGovern stated: “Cattle were similar in price to the last sale before Christmas.

“There was a small entry of heifers on offer. The store bullocks were a similar trade to what they were for the last sale of 2020, if not a shade dearer.

“There was a good entry of dry cows which met a good trade for the heavy lots. Meanwhile, the bull weanlings were dearer than before Christmas.”

The heifer weanlings were topped at a price of €3.19/kg, while the weanling bulls reached slightly lower heights of €2.98/kg.