During Tuesday’s (February 4) sale at Athenry Mart, Co. Galway, almost 90 cows graced the sales ring with just four returning home to their original farms.

A small number of bulls were also met with a full clearance. 

Over half the cows presented for sale weighed more than 600kg, with the maximum price per kg secured being €3.12/kg for a Charolais cross cow weighing 855kg - the auctioneer’s hammer fell at €2,670.

When it came to the average price per kg for this weight bracket, it stood at €2.53. This was on par with last week, but still represented a drop compared to the prices received prior to the latest storm. 

The average price per kg for cull cows weighing between 400kg and 600kg varied between €2.40 and €2.60. 

Samples prices for cull cows:

380kg Aberdeen Angus sold for €980 or €2.58/kg;
70kg Charolais-cross sold for €1,750, or €3.07/kg;
550kg Limousin-cross sold for €1,740 or €3.16/kg;
540kg Saler-cross sold for €1,600 or €2.96/kg;
590kg Hereford-cross sold for €1,500 or €2.54/kg;
855kg Charolais-cross sold for €2,670 or €3.12/kg;
820kg Limousin-cross sold for €2,480 or €3.02/kg;
725kg Belgian Blue-cross sold for €2,050 or €2.83/kg.

Sample bull prices:

Three 427kg Aberdeen Angus-cross sold for €1,400 or €3.28/kg;
455kg Hereford-cross sold for €1,300 or €2.86/kg.

At this week’s sale in Athenry, heifer numbers bounced back following the storm. With approximately 75 heifers on offer, there was a 100% clearance. 

Since returning after the Christmas break and having had to endure the recent Storm Éowyn, the heifer trade has remained consistent across all weight brackets.

The average price per kg for all heifers shown in Athenry currently hovers between €3.20 to €3.25 for the past few weeks - with the maximums achieved sitting just over of €3.50.

Sample heifer prices:

Three 397kg Aberdeen Angus-cross sold for €1,310 or €3.30/kg;
360kg Charolais-cross sold for €1,280 or €3.56/kg;
375kg Limousin-cross sold for €1,150 or €3.07/kg;
495kg Aberdeen Angus-cross sold for €1,600 or €3.23/kg;
Three 445kg Charolais-cross sold for €1,570 or €3.53/kg;
450kg Hereford-cross sold for €1,390 or €3.09/kg;
515kg Limousin-cross sold for €1,900 or €3.69/kg;
535kg Saler-cross sold for €1,870 or €3.50/kg;
565kg Aberdeen Angus-cross sold for €1,800 or €3.19/kg;
805kg Charolais-cross sold for €2,680 or €3.33/kg;
620kg Limousin-cross sold for €2,370 or €3.82/kg;
635kg Limousin-cross sold for €2,080 or €3.28/kg. 

Competition around the ring has continued to drive prices for bullocks, with those weighing between 400kg and 500kg up 10c/kg on average compared to two weeks ago. 

This equates to a rise of between €40 and €50 per head depending on the animal. The average price per kg for the aforementioned weight category is approximately €3.20, with the maximum secured this week sitting at €4/kg. 

Meanwhile, bullocks weighing between 500kg and 600kg have held firm at an average price per kg of close to €3.40 again this week.

Sample prices:

388kg Aberdeen Angus cross sold for €1,150 or €2.96/kg;
310kg Limousin-cross sold for €1,070 or €3.45/kg;
490kg Charolais-cross sold for €1,760 or €3.59/kg;
Two 403kg Limousin-cross sold for €1,600 or €3.97/kg;
410kg Blonde d'Aquitaine-cross sold for €1,450 or €3.54/kg;
Two 588kg Limousin-cross sold for €2,010 or €3.42/kg;
515kg Charolais-cross sold for €1,980 or €3.84/kg;
535kg Aberdeen Angus-cross sold for €1,640 or €3.07/kg;
905kg Aberdeen Angus-cross sold for €2,590 or €2.86/kg;
750kg Limousin-cross sold for €2,480 or €3.31/kg;
700kg Hereford-cross sold for €2,150 or €3.07/kg;
610 Limousin-cross sold for €2,100 or €3.44/kg.