Even with mart rings closed, the Irish Farmers Journal’s MartBids app will allow the livestock team to track the trade and deliver mart reports to farmers over the next few weeks.

Calf trading has re-started in earnest in many marts across the country over the last few days, with revised protocols establishing a new way for marts to facilitate animal sales during the coronavirus lockdown.

On Friday, small calf sales were held in Kilkenny Mart and Ennis Mart, with around 50 calves sold in both marts. Friesian bulls were the dominant type on offer and averaged between €55 and €75 per head.

A similar situation unfolded in Carnew Mart on Wednesday, with over 150 Friesian bull calves sold, mainly for export.

Kilkenny

In Kilkenny, Friesian bulls averaged €75/head, with calves typically falling between €50/head and €100/head depending on age and strength. The top-priced Friesian sold for €120/head.

A small offering of Hereford bulls ranged between €100 and €110 each, and three Belgian Blue-crosses sold for €160, €180 and €200 each.

Ennis

In Ennis, Friesian bull calves sold to an average of €55/head, with a typical range of €45 to €90 each for the standard calf. A top price of €118 was paid for a 23 February-born Friesian-cross.

Angus bulls averaged €107/head, while Hereford-cross bull calves ranged between €70/head and €250/head, with the average sitting at €155/head.

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