Staff at Bandon mart expect calf numbers to hold at the1650 level with maybe a slight increase to follow again in late March. Friesian bull calves dominated those available on Monday and sold from €50 to €130 for shipping calves while stronger calves were picked up by farmers and these made up to €220. Prices for Hereford and Angus bull calves made from €250 to €400 and Hereford and Angus Heifer calves prices ranged from €200 to €380. Continental bull calves made up to €480 while heifers sold for up to €450.

The difficult spring was surely a factor in the dry cow sale with over 100 on offer. Dairy farmers are unwilling to carry passengers given pressure on grazing ground and slurry storage. Well fleshed cows and heifers who showed up empty commanded good money. Prices ranged from €50 to €450 over the euro/kg.

Friesian 685kg - €1020, €1.49/kg

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Friesian 620kg - €1070, €1.73/kg

Friesian 790kg - €1110, €1.41/kg

Friesian 745kg - €1060, €1.42/kg

Forward bullocks

More forward bullocks were visible than lighter stock and prices ranged depending on breed with upwards of 70 on offer. Friesians made from €200 to €400 with their weight, Angus and Herefords €300 to €645 and prices for continental bullocks ranged from €400 to €800 with the weight.

1 Charolais 705kg - €1500, €2.13/kg

7 Hereford 598kg - €1230, €2.06/kg

4 Friesian 651kg - €1120, €1.72/kg

Heifers

There were 40 heifers on offer and they made from €320 to €600 with their weight. Sample prices.

2 Hereford 515kg - €1020, €1.98/kg

2 Limousin 467kg - €1060, €2.27/kg

1 Belgian Blue 520kg -€1100, €2.12/kg

2 Charolais 422kg - €970, €2.30/kg

Special calved heifer show

The Cork club of the Irish Holstein Friesian association held a special calved heifer show and sale also on Monday in Bandon. There were over 40 heifers on show and they sold from €1400 to €2000. Organisers said weather seemed to have more effect on the sale than milk price with the sales ring thronged. Robert Shannon, Ballinascarthy had the champion which sold for €1850. Noel Murphy, Blarney had reserve champion and she was unsold with Victor O Sullivan of Lisduff taking the top price of €2000 for his heifer.