Returns soared to €2,600, a price that was recorded on at least three occasions, at the sale of Mr Tom Byrne’s entire autumn dairy herd at Carnew Mart earlier today (Tuesday).
According to Eugene Clune, yard manager, a “very lively” trade for top-quality stock, resulted in a full clearance.
Tom Byrne farmed the long-established pedigree dairy herd, known as ‘The Lask’, in Clonamona, Craanford, Gorey, Co Wexford.
Clune said: “Using top quality bloodlines for generations left these very sought after cows. He used top-quality bulls, including Pledge, Crayon, Shawn & Olassa. The herd average stands at 8,853kg of milk at 747kgs of milk solids.”
He noted that the herd has been the recipient of several Irish National Holstein Friesian herd competitions.
Dairy prices: Freshly calved dairy cows
The sale at the Wicklow-based mart began with freshly calved cows and heifers. He reported that these met a “very brisk” trade.
Older 4th and 5th lactation cows went under the hammer between €1,700 and €2,100.
Younger, top-quality cows topped out at €2,600 – a price paid for a 2016-born cow, classified VG87, that calved on September 10th, 2021, with a 2020 yield of 10,566kg at 772kgs of milk solids.
Meanwhile, at the same price tag was a 2018-born cow that calved on September 18th, 2021. She classified VG85 and is projected to deliver 9,525kg at 638kgs.
Dairy prices: In-calf heifers
Next up were the in-calf heifers. All in this category are carrying to sexed semen mainly and sold between €1,800 and €2,000. Clune reported that top-quality heifers ranged from €2,200 to €2,600.
Again, hitting the latter price tag was a 2-year-old heifer by FR2208 due on October 15th, 2021 to S3462 with a dam yield of 9113kg/649kgs of milk solids.
Dairy cows hit €2,020 at Carnew Mart’s first online on-farm sale
According to Eugene Clune, Carnew Mart’s yard manager, prices reached €2,020 at its first online on-farm sale last week.
The Wexford-based mart hosted a sale on behalf of Tom Furlong of the Knockreigh herd, Adamstown, on Wednesday, September 22nd.
Clune reported that Furlong had “top-quality stock throughout the sale,” with the standard reflected in prices.
The herd average stands at 7,400kgs milk at 570kgs of milk solids at 3.98% butterfat and 3.68%.
He highlighted that stock have been AI-bred for generations and fully milk recorded, which gave potential purchasers “a great insight into the herd”.
Full report.
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