There was another large calf sale with 1,660 calves on offer in Bandon mart this week. Beef cross calves were in demand with Hereford and Angus cross bull calves selling for between €200 to €415 for bull calves with heifers of these breeds selling for between €190 and €350.

Shipping type Friesian calves were selling from €70 to €130 with older calves making up to €220. Prices for traditional beef crosses from herds that are known to have jersey cross cows were similar to Friesian shipping calves. Continental heifers sold from €250 up to €400 and continental bulls made from €280 up to €490. Jersey cross bull calves sold for between €5 and €50.

It was steady as it goes in the cow sale with no real change in what has been a positive trade in recent weeks. There were 100 cows on offer and they made from €50 to €850 over the €/kg. Cows in good condition were making close to and over €200 with their weight with age a big factor in final price.

Cow sample prices:

One Friesian 585kg – €930, €1.59/kg.

One Friesian 690kg – €990, €1.44/kg.

One Limousin 765kg – €1,640, €2.14/kg.

One Charolais 600kg – €1,070, €1.78/kg.

One Friesian 710kg – €950, €1.34/kg.

There were 110 bullocks on offer in the bullock sale with no great change in trade on last week. Most beef crosses sold from €1.85/kg up to €2.01/kg for 2015 born stock with yearlings a similar trade with some lots of Angus cattle selling for over €2.20/kg.

Farmer management was again on display with upward of 400kg between cattle of the same age visible in 2015 born cattle and 200kg difference between spring 2016 bullocks of the same age and breed. The best of the Friesians sold for €1.71/kg. Friesian bullocks made form €200 up to €400 over the €/kg with beef crosses selling from €350 up to €650 with their weight.

Bullock sample prices:

Four Friesian, February 2015, 500kg – €810, €1.62/kg.

Two Hereford, February 2015, 522kg – €1,040, €1.99/kg.

Four Angus, January 2015, 622kg – €1,230, €1.98/kg.

Six Friesian, January 2016, 354kg – €605, €1.71/kg.

Four Hereford, February 2015, 647kg – €1,200, €1.86/kg.

Six Angus, January 2016, 460kg – €935, €2.03/kg.

Three Angus, March 2016, 270kg – €605, €2.24/kg.

Heifers

Heifer numbers were up with 80 on offer, the majority of which were Angus. Heifers made from €350 up to €600 over the €/kg. Sample prices:

One Limousin 530kg – €1,120, €2.11/kg.

Five Angus 523kg – €990, €1.89/kg.