Most farmers would struggle to justify paying more than £1400 for an in-calf heifer, but some cull cows are now hitting these dizzy heights.
Weighing in at 886kg an eight year old Belgian Blue sold at £1.64/kg compared to £1.50/kg paid during the same sale at Market Drayton Mart, Shropshire, for a 975kg Belgian Blue cull bull, fetched £1461.
The cow which was bought as a heifer in Belgium, is now en-route back to her homeland for processing having grossed £1451.
But according to John Fleming, British Belgian Blue Cattle Society secretary, such prices aren't unusual. "When bidding for young bulls and cows, farmers should remember that Blues, when culled, can still be worth more than £1400 and often make 10p/kg more than other Continental breeds - having already produced mart topping calves for many years.
The key, surely, though no matter what the breed, is to ensure culls are well finished and suited to the trade. After all no ones going to pay good money for hat racks!