As we enter the first week of 2021, marts were forced to return to Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions with online trading being called into action once again – as marts operate a ‘drop and go’ system.

With the rising incidences of Covid-19 in areas around the country, many marts decided to postpone their re-opening until next week. This has resulted in very few marts operating this week.

Also Read: Headford and Castlerea Marts the latest to postpone sales

One mart that returned to action on Tuesday, January 5, was Enniscorthy Mart. AgriLand spoke with the mart’s assistant manager, Kevin Murphy, after the sale to get an insight into the trade.

Kevin stated: “Numbers at the sale were lower than usual. I suppose the fact that it was the first sale back and with Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions being in place, some farmers held off on selling their cattle until the coming weeks.

“We had plenty of cull cows on offer – with fewer numbers of bullocks and heifers entered. The cull cows and finished cattle recorded a steady trade on the day.”

Of the heifers on offer, Hereford stores sold from €1.90/kg back to €1.78/kg.

Cull cows reported a top price of €1,320 or €1.73/kg for a Charolais cow weighing in at 760kg. Of the continental cows on offer, they ranged from €1.49/kg up to €1.73/kg.

There were plenty of Friesian-bred cows to choose from with the more heavier cows trading at highs of €1.32/kg and back to €1.09/kg. Meanwhile, the more store-type cows sold from €1.05/kg up to €1.22/kg.

Sample cull cow prices:

  • Friesian: 540kg – €600 or €1.11/kg;
  • Angus: 570kg – €830 or €1.45/kg;
  • Friesian: 580kg – €680 or €1.17/kg;
  • Friesian: 710kg – €910 or €1.28/kg;
  • Limousin: 710kg – €1,130 or €1.59/kg;
  • Friesian: 740kg – €940 or €1.27/kg;
  • Charolais: 840kg – €1,280 or €1.52/kg.