The demand for strong, well-fed calves is continuing to grow, with the calf trade and sales in marts very much in peak season.
As the number of calves presenting for sale continues to grow, the price being paid for calves is also holding strong.
Agriland spoke with two marts this week – one based in Co. Wicklow and the other in Co. Kerry, to determine how the calf trade faired this week.
Carnew Mart
Eugene Clune from Carnew Mart said that there were 732 calves on offer at the Co. Wicklow-based mart for its weekly calf sale on Friday, March 22, with a much improved trade.
Clune said that the Hereford and Angus cross calves were met with a brisk trade from both farmers and exporters, with the majority of these calves selling for between €80 and €170.
The stronger type calves and the continental type calves on offer sold from €220 to a top price of €425, according to Clune.
The Friesian bulls sold for between €35 to €70 for the lighter type calves, while the stronger and farmer type calves sold from €90 to a top call of €185.
Clune said that Friday’s sale saw an improvement in the trade, with more farmers active for the good calves, while every shipper was represented for shipping type calves.
He noted that like all other sectors, if the weather improved, the calf trade would move forward to another level.
Castleisland
Castleisland Mart held its weekly calf sale on Monday, March 25, with 1,342 calves on offer and a 100% clearance achieved on the day at the Co. Kerry-based mart.
Adam Coughlan from Castleisland mart said that the large quantity of calves on offer demonstrated an improvement for all categories, but that the quality of the calves on offer had also improved.
He noted that most of the farmers buying calves are now carrying out their business online.
Coughlan said the stronger type Hereford and Angus cross bulls between four-and-six-weeks-of-age achieved price of between €300 and €450, while heifers made €280 and €360.
There was an improvement in the trade for the lighter heifer calves, with price increasing on average by €30-€50 on the week previous – with prices being paid ranging from €100 to €210 depending on strength.
The Belgian Blue cross calves reached over €600 on the day, with strong demand for five star heifers.
The Friesian bulls on offer were all well fed according to Coughlan, with calves weighing over 50kg making €35 to €80.
He said that the outlook for calves in Castleisland looks promising, with several extra customers in attendance at Monday’s sale.