Updated Irish cow market prices, trends & farmer stories. See how beef and dairy cows really stack up.
DAFM (week 26, ending 29 June): steers at 759 c/kg, heifers at 764 c/kg, cows at 709 c/kg.
Throughput increasing, delayed spring finishes moving.
Milk base price: 49c/L; all-in average: ~53.4c/L (bonuses + VAT).
Net margin: ~17c/L (Teagasc 2025).
Raising cows in Ireland is more than just a business—it’s a calling, and a daily grind. You’ve raised calves on powdered milk, forked straw in the dark, waited on the AI man, watched the vet's bill grow. And still, there’s nothing simple about getting paid.
You can do everything right—manage grass, minerals, and the herd, but the margin is thin, and the risk is always there. Steer prices might be high today, but costs are climbing too. Weather, markets, and new rules keep you on your toes.
But you do it because it’s in your blood. These are real stories, real figures. The best way to see the reality? Compare your cow returns to other options below.
