Table: Average calf prices see overall increase last week
The average prices paid for calves saw an increase in most categories last week, according to latest figures from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).
Average calf prices had been in decline for the past three weeks but ICBF's calf price data for dairy-bred (dairy dam) calves traded in marts between February 24 and March 2, show this trend reversed last week.
Looking at the prices paid for Friesian bull calves below 21 days of age, the average increased by €10/head for last week with average prices for Hereford bull calves increasing by €17/head.
The table below details the average price paid for Angus-sired calves by sex and age in the week ending Sunday, March 2:
| Sire breed | Sex | Age range | Number of calves | Average age (days) | Average price (€) | Number with recorded weight | Average weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angus | M | <21 days | 647 | 17 | 242 | 309 | 53 |
| 21-42 days | 755 | 26 | 301 | 453 | 59 | ||
| F | <21 days | 563 | 17 | 191 | 288 | 50 | |
| 21-42 days | 785 | 26 | 227 | 455 | 55 |
Angus bull calves under 21 days of age made an average price of €242/head last week with Angus bull calves from 21-42 days of age selling for an average price of €301/head.
Angus heifer calves below 21 days of age made €51/head less on average than their male counterparts last week, selling for an average price of €191/head, the ICBF calf price data shows.
Older Angus heifer calves from 21-42 days sold for an average of €236/head.
The table below details the average price paid for Hereford-sired calves by sex and age in the week ending Sunday, March 2:
| Sire breed | Sex | Age range | Number of calves | Average age (days) | Average price (€) | Number with recorded weight | Average weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hereford | M | <21 days | 349 | 17 | 277 | 160 | 56 |
| 21-42 days | 400 | 25 | 300 | 232 | 59 | ||
| F | <21 days | 351 | 17 | 212 | 154 | 53 | |
| 21-42 days | 376 | 25 | 236 | 165 | 55 |
Hereford bull calves from 21-42 days of age made an average price of €277/head last week while heifer calves in this age range sold for an average price of €212/head, €65/head below the average price for male Hereford calves of the same age.
Hereford bull calves from 21-42 days of age sold for an average price of €300 last week while heifers of this age made an average price of €236/head.
The table below details the average price paid for Friesian calves by sex and age in the week ending Sunday, March 2:
| Sire breed | Sex | Age range | Number of calves | Average age (days) | Average price (€) | Number with recorded weight | Average weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friesian | M | <21 days | 1,246 | 17 | 116 | 609 | 52 |
| 21-42 days | 2,245 | 26 | 143 | 1,308 | 57 | ||
| F | <21 days | 19 | 17 | 179 | 6 | 37 | |
| 21-42 days | 62 | 31 | 225 | 43 | 55 |
Friesian bull calves below 21 days of age sold for an average price of €116/head last week with Friesian bulls from 21-42 days making an average price of €143/head.
Click here to see the average prices paid for calves last week.
