Dairy Trade Sees High Demand with Fresh Heifers Selling at Premium Prices

In recent dairy trade activities across Ireland, marts have noted a robust market for freshly calved heifers, with several sales achieving premium prices. At Listowel Livestock Mart in Co. Kerry, a clearance sale of 70 pedigree Friesian cows saw a top price of €3,520 for a two-year-old heifer weighing 520kg. The herd fr om this sale averaged 6,866 liters of milk at 4.14% butterfat and 3.49% protein, with a somatic cell count of 105.

Meanwhile, Sixmilebridge Mart in Co. Clare also conducted a clearance sale wh ere a two-year-old heifer fetched €2,780. The herd averaged 6,200 liters in 2025, with 4% fat and 3.59% protein, maintaining an SCC level of 85. Light heifers under 500kg were particularly sought after, achieving prices of 5.93 per kilogram.

In Co. Meath, Carnaross Mart held an open dairy sale featuring over 70 calved and in-calf heifers. A standout sale was a pedigree registered heifer sold for €3,000, while the average price on the day was €2,047 per head. On the east side, Waterford Ross Mart in Co. Wexford saw a top price of €3,375 for a two-year-old heifer with an Economic Breeding Index of €140, producing 9,655 liters per year. The sale averaged €2,200 per head, with multiple cows surpassing the €3,000 mark.