Average prices for cull cows, as well as heifers and steers (bullocks), have continued to move upwards at mart sales countrywide this week.

The strong beef trade, coupled with the good weather conditions and demand for grass cattle is seeing heated demand, and this was reflected at the cattle sale at Athenry Mart earlier this week.

Heavy cows were up almost €200/head compared to the previous week with the average price rising by 25c/kg at the general cattle sale on Tuesday, April 1.

The rise in trade for cows in the 600kg plus weight bracket left the average price at €3.56/kg. Cows weighing from 500-600kgs averaged €3.20/kg - up 5c/kg from last week, according to Athenry Mart's Conor Finnerty.

There were over 80 cows in the sale as well as 12 stock bulls with a 99% clearance rate achieved. The top price of the sale went to a cull Charolais stock bull weighing 1,335kg that sold for €4,580 or €3.43/kg.

Sample cull cow prices from Athenry Mart:

479kg Shorthorn cow sold for €1,690 or €3.60/kg;
435kg Hereford cow sold for €1,460 or €3.36/kg;
785kg Limousin cow sold for €3,560 or €4.54/kg;
880kg Angus cow sold for €3,090 or €3.51/kg;
855kg Friesian cow sold for €2,610 or €3.05/kg.

There were 170 heifers on offer in the sale with the average price for 500-600kg heifers settling at €4.30/kg.

The average price per kilo for heifers weighing from 500-600kg was almost €1.50/kg higher than March 2024 average prices, or a difference of between €750-900/head on an animal in this bracket, according to Athenry Mart.

With an even mix of heifers across the various weight categories, the price increases were seen across the board, settling at from €4.10-4.35/kg across the weight brackets.

Sample heifer prices from Athenry Mart:

Three 290kg Angus heifers sold for €1,180 or €4.07/kg;
Two 378kg Limousin heifers sold for €1,780 or €4.71/kg;
Two 473kg Limousin heifers sold for €2,520 or €5.33/kg;
Two €478kg Angus heifers sold for €2,160 or €4.52/kg;
Two 493kg Hereford heifers sold for €2,020 or €4.10/kg;
785kg Charolais heifer sold for €3,500 or €4.46/kg.

The push from grass buyers to have stock for seven consecutive months of the year helped to drive on the trade for the lighter bullocks, according to a sale report from mart management.

Bullocks weighing from 400-500kg saw their average price pushed to €4.20/kg while bullocks in the 500-600kg category had an average sale price of €3.90/kg, up to a top price per kilo of €4.75/kg.

Average bullock prices at the sale:

345kg Charolais bullock sold for €1,380 or €4/kg;
Two 333kg Hereford bullocks sold for €1,250or €3.75/kg;
Two 453kg Charolais bullocks sold for €2,120 or €4.68/kg;
490kg Angus bullock sold for €2,110 or €4.31/kg;
Two 418kg Limousin bullocks sold for €1,960 or €4.69/kg;
555kg Angus bullock sold for €2,460 or €4.43/kg;
Two 698kg Charolais bullocks sold for €3,340 or €4.79/kg.

Heavier bullocks over 600kg averaged €4.17/kg this week. Similar to the heifers, average bullock prices are up €1.40/kg on last year at the Athenry mart.