The latest figures from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) show an increase in dairy calf births in comparison to this time last year – with 168,908 head of dairy calves registered so far in 2021 compared to 145,331 head in 2020.
It will obviously take a few weeks before marts witness any sort of peak calf numbers, but with registrations currently ahead of last year, it will be interesting to see if this trend will continue or if these figures will level off.
Exporters are now beginning to show their presence, with managers stating that they are becoming more active in sourcing calves in most recent sales.
This week AgriLand takes a look at recent calf sales in Carnew, Bandon and Carrigallen marts.
Carnew Mart
There were over 200 calves on offer at Carnew Mart on Saturday (February 6). According to the mart’s manager, David Quinn, “the quality calves met a very strong demand similar to last week”.
Looking at the reported prices, young Friesian bulls sold from €30/head up to €80/head. Strong Friesian bulls with more age to them sold at €110-215/head.
Continental bull calves were selling at €240-415/head. Meanwhile, heifers sold from €130/head up to €320/head.
Hereford and Angus bulls were achieving prices of €150-310/head. The heifers with similar breeding were sold at €110-275/head.
Bandon Mart
The trade held well this week for good Friesian bull calves according to Tom McCarthy of Bandon Mart.
With Bandon being one of the heartlands for the calf market, the 700 calves on offer at Monday’s sale (February 9) would be the norm for this time of the year.
This was the first week of 2021 that the mart had seen exporters truly contesting for calves.
Commenting on the trade, Tom stated:
Friesian bull calves for shipping were selling at €45-85/head. The good Friesian bull calf that was being bought by farmers was actually an improved trade from last week.
“These bull calves were selling from €105/head up to the tops of €205/head. The general prices paid for these calves would have been at €160-180/head.
“Angus and Hereford bulls sold from €220/head up to €440/head, with the general prices paid being at €290-380/head.
“The Hereford and Angus heifers were slightly back on the bull prices, with €190-260/head being paid for the younger calves. Some of the stronger heifer calves were selling at €360-375/head.
“The continental calves remained a strong trade, with €380-520/head being paid for bulls. Heifers were sold from €350/head up to €465/head,” Tom said.
Carrigallen Mart
The calf trade is still remaining steady in the northwest of the country, according to Helen Kells, the mart manager of Carrigallen Mart this week. With over 115 calves on offer at Saturday’s sale (February 6), the large rise in calf numbers has not been seen just yet.
Speaking on the trade, Helen stated: “Friesian bulls are holding a strong trade at the minute, with calves reaching prices of €100-130/head on Saturday.
“Farmers are holding onto their calves around here at the minute and waiting until they are that bit stronger before they bring them out for sale.
Continental calves were generally running from €350/head up to €500/head. We had one standout price of €610 for a Charolais bull calf that was close to two months old.
“Angus and Hereford calves were selling at €210-320/head, with Hereford heifer calves making slightly more in some cases.
“We are expecting numbers to rise next week, at the moment we have over 140 calves booked in so we are already ahead of numbers from Saturday’s sale.”