There has been a slight ease back in prices paid for Friesian bull calves destined for shipping in recent days.
The effect of this has been noted at marts in the south. Bandon Mart, which would have some of the biggest entries of calves selling each week, was quick to highlight the repeated setback again.
For the calf trade in general, the trade is still reported to be holding firm in a number of marts for the calves with age and quality.
The reports from the ground are that plenty of calf-to-beef farmers are beginning to take a step back from buying calves currently – due to prices for quality and aged calves being so strong in many parts of the country.
Some farmers are said to be holding out until the trade eases before they dip into the calf rings again.
This week AgriLand takes a look at recent sales held in Bandon, Carnew and Ennis Marts.
Bandon Mart
With over 1,400 calves on offer in Bandon Mart on Monday (March 8), manager Tom McCarthy stated that prices for all calves, except the Friesian bulls for shipping, were more or less the same as the previous week.
On his last day at the helm of Bandon Mart as manager, before moving to his new role with Axa Insurance, Tom said:
The shipping calves were a small bit back on the previous week, these were topped around €60/head and started off at €25/head – the trade was tougher for these calves.
“The stronger Friesian bull calf with age was selling from €90/head up to €180/head.
“Angus and Hereford bulls were selling from €200/head up to €410/head. Angus and Hereford heifers sold from €180/head up to €360/head. The Angus calves were beating the Hereford in price slightly this week.
“The continental calves were still a serious trade with €350/head paid for bulls, up to €520/head. Prices paid for heifers started off at €300/head and sold up to €490/head,” Tom concluded.
Carnew Mart
Calf numbers reached 730 head in Carnew Mart on Saturday (March 6), with David Quinn, the mart’s manager, stating that calves met “a strong selling trade for all types with strong export and farmer demand”.
In terms of prices, the light Friesian bulls were selling from €20/head up to €70/head. Meanwhile, David stated that the stronger Friesian bull calf with age sold from €80/head up to €235/head.
The continental bulls sold from a top price of €490/head back to €250/head. Heifers sold from €130/head up to €500/head.
Hereford and Angus heifers achieved prices of €80/head up to €325/head. Bulls with similar breeding sold from €360/head easing back to €130/head.
Ennis Mart
Martin McNamara reported a strong trade again for calves in the Clare-based Ennis Mart this week. There were a just over 225 calves on offer at the weekly sale held on Tuesday (March 9) – with plenty of quality calves presented for sale according to Martin.
He said:
“Overall the trade held strong this week but we had good calves on offer; lighter Friesian bull calves were selling from €30/head up to €50/head. Any decent and strong Friesian bull calves were sold from €60/head up to €130/head.
“Angus bull calves sold from €200/head up to €315/head, with heifers selling between €160-250/head.
Hereford bull calves were auctioned from €280/head up to €365/head. Heifers sold from €260/head back to €200/head.
“The continental calves were generally selling at €280/head up to €430/head this week.”
When asked about any noticeable changes in the shipping type calf prices, he explained:
“There isn’t a huge reliance on the exporters for our sale so we haven’t seen much of an impact on trade here yet.”