One of the big talking points in the beef trade this week is the jump in cow prices, and while all types of cattle are fetching record average prices at both marts and factories currently, the heavy cow price increases are significant.

This was particularly evident at Mohill Mart in Co. Leitrim, which hosted its annual Monaghan Day cow sale on Saturday, February 22, with 240 cows presented and a 99% clearance rate achieved.

Speaking to Agriland, Mohill Mart manager Darragh Barden said: "The sale generated significant interest, with 30 cows surpassing the €3,000 mark.

"The average cow price was €2,295/head or €3.30/kg, with some cows exceeding €4.00/kg."

The highest price in the sale was achieved for a 970kg Belgian Blue-cross cow, which sold for €4,080 or €4.21/kg, which "set the bar high for the day", according to the mart manager.

Cows weighing over 800kg averaged €3,100 or €3.62/kg, and the following are sample prices for cows over 800kg:

970kg Belgian Blue-cross cow sold for €4,080 or €4.21/kg;
915kg Simmental-cross cow sold for €3,480 or €3.80/kg;
910kg Charolais cow sold for €3,310 or €3.64/kg;
890kg Limousin cow sold for €3,320 or €3.73/kg;
860kg Belgian Blue cow sold for €3,650 or €4.24/kg;
860kg Charolais-cross cow sold for €3,560 or €4.14/kg;
855kg Limousin-cross cow sold for €3,340 or €3.91/kg;
850kg Charolais-cross cow sold for €3,340 or €3.93/kg;
810kg Limousin-cross cow sold for €3,300 or €4.07/kg;
805kg Charolais-cross cow sold for €2,970 or €3.69/kg.

Cows in the 700-800kg weight category at the Monaghan Day sale sold for an average price of €2,515/head or €3.40/kg, with the highest price per kilo in this range going to a 720kg Limousin cow that made €3,110 or €4.32/kg.

Some of the top cow prices in the 700-800kg weight category are as follows:

790kg Limousin cow sold for €3,260 or €4.13/kg;
780kg Charolais cow sold for €2,900 or €3.72/kg;
775kg Limousin cow sold for €3,340 or €4.31/kg;
770kg Belgian Blue cow sold for €2,810 or €3.65/kg.

Cows weighing from 600-700kg sold for €2,095/head or €3.20/kg on average and cows under 600kg sold for €1,660 or €3.00/kg on average.

In addition to the dry cows, three stock bulls were presented for sale with the top-priced bull, an Angus weighing 850kg sold for €3,200.

Some of the top cow prices at Mohill Mart:

There were also two springers on offer, both in-calf to artificial insemination (AI) Limousin bulls with the first heifer selling for €3,880, while the second heifer reached €1,940.

Carnew Mart in Co. Wicklow hosted a cow sale on Friday, February 21, with "a mighty trade for cows" seen in the sale according to Carnew Mart's Eugene Clune.

With over 220 cows on offer, Clune said there was "a huge demand from factory agents both north and south for fleshed cows with prices in excess of €3/kg the norm and even upwards of €3.50/kg for quality beef cows".

Cow prices from Carnew Mart:

682kg Simmental cow sold for €2,400 or €3.52/kg;
572kg Angus cow sold for €2,010 or €3.51/kg;
694kg Charolais cow sold for €2,380 or €3.43/kg;
640kg Charolais cow sold for €2,180 or €3.41/kg;
716kg Limousin cow sold for €2,100 or €3.35/kg;
494kg Friesian cow sold for €1,520 or €3.08/kg;
427kg Montbéliarde cow sold for €1,250 or €2.93/kg.

"Store cows were also an excellent trade," according to Clune with farmers and specialist feeders "showing great interest in sourcing stock".

Balla Mart in Co. Mayo, hosted its weekly general cattle sale on Saturday, February 22, with over 100 cows on offer in the sale and a full clearance of the cows on offer.

Cows over 500kg averaged €3.19/kg with the tops making €4.40/kg. A 680kg cow made €2,780 or €4.09/kg for a farmer from Ballymote. There were 40 springers in the sale with one cow due within the month making €3,150 for a farmer from Claremorris.

Tuam Mart in Co. Galway hosted its weekly general cattle sale on Monday, February 24, with up to €5.54/kg paid for cows for an 840kg Belgian Blue cow that made €4,650.

Another 895kg Belgian Blue cow sold for €4,550 or €5.08/kg with an 825kg Belgian Blue cow making €3,500 or €4.24/kg.

A 665kg Limousin cow made €2,560 or €3.85/kg with another 865kg Limousin cow making €3,260 or €3.77/kg.

Marts who would like sale reports from their venue featured on Agriland can e-mail [email protected].