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Dairy Cattle Trade on Fire Despite Production Costs

UK - Despite the rising costs of milk production, trade for newly calved and in-calf dairy cattle continues upwards as demand outstrips supply.

At Borderway mart, Carlisle, dairy auctioneer Andrew Templeton said the trade for commercial cattle was “very buoyant.”

“There is still big demand although nearer the back end things may ease a bit but this will depend on what happens with the milk price. If they give a bit more for milk the dairy trade will continue buoyant.”

At the moment commercial dairy cattle are making anywhere from £1,200 to £2,000, depending on age and quality. He also said many people were selling older cows, which were also making good money.

There was a similar story in Gisburn last week. A smaller than usual entry topped at £2,150 for a heifer and saw the entire heifer entry average £1,908. Newly calved and in-calf cows were up to £1,820 with fresh calvers averaging £1,418.

An inaugural pedigree sale the previous week, which is to become a monthly fixture, attracted 32 registered females in addition to the commercial entry and drew a top of £2,600 for a newly calved heifer with the heifer average a shade under £2,000 and cows at £1,837.

“Demand is just getting stronger and we are seeing new faces round the ringside every week, increasing the competition for regular local buyers,” said auctioneer Fred Spurgeon. “For the first time, I have no dairy cattle on my books just now for private treaty sales.

“Right through to third and fourth calvers, animals that are completely sound are in demand and last week we had a 2000 cow make £1,600. Vendors who were expecting £1,300 and £1,400 were seeing prices up to £1,800,” said Mr Spurgeon.

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Source: Farmers Guardian

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