The prices for the aged calves are holding steady this week, according to reports – with lighter calves seeing a slight blip in prices paid over the past few days.
Some marts are seeing more younger calves going unsold – as age and strength is on the list of criteria for both farmers and exporters.
After being restricted in their buying over previous weeks, it seems exporters were back in action buying calves over recent days.
This week, AgriLand reviews recent sales in Carrigallen, Waterford-Ross and Kilkenny Marts.
Carrigallen Mart
Looking at the trade in the north-west, there was a lot of Friesian calves on offer in Carrigallen Mart this week according to the mart’s manager Helen Kells.
The mart hosted 350 calves on Saturday (February 27) – with plenty of northern and shipping activity mixed in amongst local buyers this week.
Speaking about the sale of calves, Helen stated:
“We had some Jersey-cross bred calves that a were that bit harder sold. The Friesian bull calves suitable for shipping were making from €30/head up to €80/head. The stronger Friesian bull calf was selling from €90/head up to €130/head.
Some of the Angus bull calves on Saturday were a slight bit younger to what had been sold in previous weeks. These calves sold from €160/head up to €300/head.
“Angus heifer calves were starting at €150/head and sold up to €280/head.”
She added:
“The Hereford calves met a stronger trade, with bulls selling up to €320/head and back to €220/head. The heifer calves were selling from €200/head up to €350/head.
“The Belgian Blue calves were the ones that really shined on Saturday. Both Northern and shipping customers were contesting it out for these calves.
“The strongest of these sold from €370/head up to €530/head,” she concluded.
Waterford-Ross Mart
Numbers were slightly back in Waterford-Ross Mart on Saturday, as 800 calves were entered in comparison to 1,100 calves entered the week before.
Commenting to AgriLand about the sale this week, mart manager Richard Kirwan stated:
“The shipper customers were back in action this week, as they were slightly quieter the week before. Overall the trade is holding considerably well – which can be hard to believe when you see the number of calves coming onto the scene.
The lighter Friesian bull calves that were suitable for shipping were selling from €30/head up to €80/head. Stronger Friesian bull calves were selling from €80/head up to a top of €200/head.
“We had a small number of Friesian heifer calves this week – these sold at €300-400/head.
“Angus and Hereford bull calves sold from €125/head up to €400/head. The heifer calves sold from €100/head up to €320/head.
“The continental bulls were a very strong trade, these sold from €130/head up to a top price for a Simmental bull calf €550/head.
“The continental heifer calves were selling from €100/head up to €320/head.”
Kilkenny Mart
There was a larger sale of calves on Tuesday (March 2) in Kilkenny Mart, with over 600 head to choose from. The sale met an excellent trade and a 99% clearance according to the mart’s auctioneer, George Candler.
Reflecting back on the sale, George stated: “The quality of calves was ahead of last week. Exporters were more active, but looking for calves over two-weeks-old with good conformation.”
Advising dairy farmers on their selling options, he said: “Small and young calves need more milk and age to make them more attractive to buyers.”
Second-rate Friesian bull calves sold from €10/head up to €50/head – while first-rate Friesian bulls were selling from €70/head up to €200/head.
“Continental bulls were topped at €410/head and sold back to €200/head. Heifers sold from €150/head up to €475/head.
“Angus and Hereford bulls were selling from €130/head up to €340/head. Heifers with similar breeding sold from €305/head back to €120/head,” George concluded.