There was 1680 calves on offer in Bandon mart this week and prices have held firm.

The only noticeable drop seems to be for traditional beef crosses from herds that are known to have jersey cross cows. There is a wariness among farmer buyers especially for these calves. These calves are making similar to Friesian bulls.

Prices were especially high for beef cross calves with Hereford and Angus cross bull calves from Friesian cows selling for between €220 to €410.

Heifers of these breeds were selling for between €200 and €380.

Shipping type calves were selling from €70 to €135 while overall Friesian bull calves made between €70 to €150 for younger calves with stronger calves back on last week, making up to €220. Continental heifers sold from €320 up to €400 and continental bulls made from €380 up to €440. Jersey cross bull calves sold for between €5 and €50.

Cows sample prices:

There were 80 cows on offer and they made from €50 to €500 over the €/kg. Fleshed cows continue to dominate the numbers with no great change in trade from last week with many going close to or making over €200 with their weight.

One Friesian 525kg – €890, €1.70/kg.

One Friesian 650kg – €890, €1.37/kg.

One Angus 685kg – €1,105, €1.61/kg.

One Simmental 665kg – €1,010, €1.52/kg.

One Friesian 765kg – €1,050, €1.37/kg.

There were some excellent forward stores on offer on Monday with mainly spring 2015 on offer while there were also some excellent yearlings with great weight for age. There was just under 120 bullocks on offer numbers in the bullock and heifer sale with no great change in trade with most beef crosses selling from €1.85/kg up to €2.09/kg.

The best of the Friesians sold for €1.70/kg up to €1.74/kg. Friesian bullocks made form €200 up to €520 over the €/kg with beef crosses selling from €400 up to €650 with their weight.

Bullocks sample prices:

Two Friesian, June 2014, 682kg – €1,190, €1.75/kg.

Two Hereford, April 2015, 595kg – €1,180, €1.98/kg.

Three Angus, March 2016, 325kg – €740, €2.28/kg.

Five Friesian, January 2016, 439kg – €760, €1.39/kg.

Four Hereford, February 2015, 425kg – €860, €2.02/kg.

Six Angus, March 2015, 555kg – €1,160, €2.09/kg.

Three Angus, March 2015, 523kg – €1,000, €1.99/kg.

Heifers sample prices:

There was 50 heifers on offer and they made from €270 up to €530 over the €/kg.

One Belgian blue 515kg – €1,045, €2.03/kg.

Six Charolais 382kg – €810, €2.12/kg.