Angus bull calves see average price cross a record €400
The average price paid for Angus bull calves from 3-6 weeks-of-age at marts in the week ending Sunday, May 4, reached a record €402, according to the latest Irish Cattle Breeding Federation's (ICBF's) calf price statistics.
Hereford bull calves from 3-6 weeks-of-age averaged €423/head, with Charolais and Belgian Blue-sired bull calves of the same spec averaging €493 and €514/calf respectively.
The average price paid for 3-6 weeks-of-age Angus bull calves is up almost €100 since the week ending February 16, when they averaged €303/calf.
The table below details the average prices paid for Angus-sired bull and heifer calves in the week ending Sunday, May 4:
| Sire Breed | Sex | Age range | Number of Calves | Average Age (days) | Average Price (€) | Number with Recorded Weight | Average Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angus | M | <21 days | 232 | 18 | €346 | 86 | 57kg |
| 21-42 days | 1748 | 31 | €402 | 950 | 62kg | ||
| F | <21 days | 202 | 17 | €263 | 71 | 54kg | |
| 21-42 days | 1776 | 32 | €306 | 915 | 59kg |
The sharp increase in beef prices this spring saw a lift in demand for all weights of cattle down to calves and, while beef price increases have somewhat stabilised for now, calf prices have continued to rise.
In the week ending Sunday, May 4, Friesian bull calves under three weeks-of-age averaged €236/calf with Friesian bull calves from 3-6 weeks-of-age averaging €257/calf.
Mart managers are attributing the strong price increases to strong farmer demand as well as continued strong export demand for calves.
As of Sunday, April 27, over 142,000 calves have been exported - up 17% on the same time last year.
The table below details the average prices paid for Hereford-sired bull and heifer calves in the week ending Sunday, May 4:
| Sire breed | Sex | Age range | Number of calves | Average age (days) | Average price (€) | Number with recorded weight | Average weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hereford | M | <21 days | 133 | 18 | €367 | 53 | 57kg |
| 21-42 days | 1,003 | 31 | €423 | 399 | 64kg | ||
| F | <21 days | 107 | 18 | €271 | 48 | 55kg | |
| 21-42 days | 949 | 31 | €321 | 364 | 60kg |
Last week, Limousin-sired bull and heifer calves from 3-6 weeks-of-age averaged €430 and €357/calf respectively.
The numbers of calves available for sale are in decline in marts, as peak sales have passed and the spring-calving season draws to a close.
The rise in calf prices has been welcome news for dairy farmers with calves to sell after a number of tough years for the trade - especially with demand for plainer calves.
The price increases have come as somewhat of a surprise to the industry, and dairy calf-to-beef farmers buying these calves will be hoping beef prices stay positive in the long-term to ensure a return on their increased investment this year.
