The dairy trade appears to remain strong despite ongoing confusion regarding new rules on bovine TB.
There were a number of sales during the week, including some large clearance and sale sales.
Prices reached €3,720 for Grade 1 milking cows at some sales, with the majority of milking stock during the week selling for more than €2,000.
Corinne Mart
Corrin Mart in Cork held a full dairy clearance sale for their Collinstown Holstein herd from Cork during the week.
The stock on offer from the award-winning herd boasts an average Group Economic Breeding Index (EBI) of €89, with a milk sub-index of €28 and a fertility sub-index of €26.
The highest price of the day was set for the fully registered pedigree Collinsfort Daffodil 1503.
The cow, born in January 2024, was auctioned at a price of 3,620 euros.
It boasted an EBI of €198, with a milk sub-index of €30 and a fertility sub-index of €69.
She was closely followed by Collinsfort Daffodil 1530, another cow born in January 2024 that achieved €3,340.
She had an EBI of €101, with a milk sub-index of €52 and a fertility sub-index of €45.
Some other notable prices from the sale include;
- €3,300 for a heifer born in January 2023 (EBI €35);
- €3,200 for a heifer born in February 2023 (EBI €94);
- €3,100 for a heifer born in January 2023 (EBI €166).
The sale ended at an average price of €2,448 per head.
These heifers sold for €2,820 and €3,100 respectively. Source: Cork Marts
Bandon Mart
Along the way at Bandon Mart, there was also great trade, with 90 registered pedigree Holstein Friesians on offer as part of a reduction in dairy sales for the Lisanski herd.
The average herd size is 9,119 litres, and contains 3.32% protein and 4.31% fat, equivalent to 683kg of milk solids.
A top price of €3,720 per day has been set for Lissaniskey Syracuse Geraldine, a September 2022-born heifer with an EBI of €27.
Lissaniskey Applicable Alice 2 born March 2023 sold for €3,300. It had an EBI of €5.
Lissaniskey Griff Candy also sold for €3,300, and the October 2021-born heifer had an EBI price of €31.
The sale ended at an average price of €2,541 per head.
Mart manager Sean Dennehy said the sale was positive with some very good inventory, adding that improving weather meant the loop was more filled.
He also noted that the new rules regarding TB have not affected cull sales such as these, and feels there will not be a significant impact on cull cow sales once farmers get used to the regulations.
