This week’s sale in Kilkenny Mart had 72 calves forward, with prices of up to €535.

Some of these calves were born earlier in the season and fetched high prices across the board.

This late March-born Simmental cross heifer secured a price of €535.

Topping the trade was a February-born Simmental-cross heifer which sold for €535.

A further four heifer calves similarly bred made between €440 and €530.

Younger Hereford-cross heifers sold up to €295, while the Angus females topped at €245, again for calves between one and two months of age.

This January-born Simmental cross heifer sold for €480.

Overall, heifer calf prices averaged at €260 for the 24 sold. The top third of these sold for an impressive average of just under €400.

Double the number of bull calves were present, with an average sale price of €230.

The majority of these calves were six weeks and under, with a few exceptions.

This Angus bull calf born 15 June sold for €285.

Better-quality older lots helped to boost the average to €360/head for the top 33% of male lots sold.

At the other end, the bottom third of lots sold for just over €100 each.

Top of the males was a Simmental-cross calf born at the end of February, which sold for €520.

This late March-born Charolais cross bull calf sold for €505.

Not far behind was a Charolais-cross calf born at the end of March that sold for €505.

Selling for €470 was a pair of two-month-old Charolais-cross bull calves.

Well-made Angus bull calves sold as high as €385, while the smaller number of Hereford bull calves went up to €330.