An open dairy sale took place on Wednesday, November 6 at Carnaross mart, where over 100 freshly calved cows were sold alongside some heifers due to calve in the spring of next year.

Trade for freshly calved cows was very strong at the mart, while cows calving down the following spring were still making good money along with a great demand for number of high economic breeding index (EBI), Friesian heifers calving in February.

The auctioneer and the man running the dairy sale at Carnaross mart, Rodney Windrum told Agriland that "the trade was electric".

There was a 100% clearance on the day, and Windrum said that usually half the stock go up the north, however only 15 cows went that direction this week.

Altogether there was 33 different buyers at the mart on Wednesday which gives a reflection of the great trade and demand that was seen on the day.

Prices of freshly calved cows are as follows:

Windrum said that with the trade that was seen in the ring on the day, "there is great confidence in the milk sector".

Freshly calved cows were selling at high prices, which comes to show how farmers are responding to the much needed good milk price and the need for strong cows to make the most out of their winter milk contract.

Some of the best freshly calved cows made between €2,200 and the top price of €2,640,

The top prices on the day were as follows:

The top price on the day was achieved by lot 72, a 2021-born Holstein Friesian cow who is a freshly calved, second calver and weighed 660kg and sold for €2,640.

The freshly calved cows made the big money on the day, which is a testament to the confidence farmers have going into the winter months.

There was also a special entry of in-calf cows which were calving down in late March to April, which despite the winter approaching fast and their lactation coming to an end, they made good money.

Some examples of the in-calf cows that were sold on the day, are as follows:

Auctioneer, Windrum said that the cows sold for between €1,000 and €1,400, which is a very high price for late calving spring cows coming into the winter months.

A group of 15 in-calf heifers were sold at the after the milking cows and Windrum commented that "there was great demand for the heifers, as it can be hard to get heifers to €1,000 at this time of the year."

The best of the heifers sold for €1,640, which was heifer with an EBI of €308, with a milk sub-index of €66 and a fertility sub-index of €150.

Some of the other prices the heifers made are as follows:

Windrum told Agriland that the next open dairy sale at Carnaross mart will be in December, with a date still to be confirmed.