The demand for beef calves continues, with a solid trade in Bandon Mart this week.

There was in the region of 1,100 calves on offer and beef-crosses dominated yet again.

Despite the large numbers, prices remained relatively stable for them, although there is probably a drop of €10 to €20 on the end of the trade for traditional beef breed-crosses.

That would reflect on there usually being a higher demand for the February- and early-March-born calves.

There are more calves from the second half of March appearing now and it's more of a struggle to get them sold before their second winter.

Stronger calves

The emergence of those later-born calves saw the bulk of Angus- and Hereford-crosses making €170 to €220.

At the upper end of the market, there was a selection of stronger calves making from €250 to €320.

There was no set pattern to the calves that made that money.

On occasions, they were the stand-out bigger animals or larger lots of even calves, but if a number of potential buyers decided they wanted a bunch of calves regardless of age or size, the bids flew on.

Friesians

Friesian numbers have really fallen off, but this has resulted in an improved market for the reduced supply.

Most would have sold from €80 to €130, with a selection of older calves exceeding this price range.

Continentals

Continental calves made up for their lack of numbers with a strong selling performance.

The top price of €500 went to a group of five-week-old Belgian Blue bull calves.

A good share of both bulls and heifers sold from €300 to €400, while, further down the price range, some of the younger continental calves could be got for €250 and up.

In pictures

This group of six-week-old Friesian heifers sold for an average of €330.

Almost two months old, this bull calf sold for €410.

This one-month-old Montbeliarde bull made €290.

This one-month-old Shorthorn bull calf sold for €235.

This pair of two-month-old Belgian Blue heifers sold for an average of €400.

This pair of one-month-old Angus heifers sold for an average of €310.

This pair of three-week-old bull calves made €210 each.

These five-week-old Angus heifers sold for an average of €285.

This one-month-old Angus bull calf made €215.

At seven weeks of age, these Angus heifers made €245 each.

This five-week-old Hereford bull calf made €185.

These five-week-old Angus bull calves averaged €310.

This five-week-old Hereford heifer calf sold for €320.

This one-month-old Angus bull calf sold for €280.

These bull calves made €85 each.

This trio of one-month-old bull calves sold for €100 each.

These three-week-old bull calves made €205 each.

This group of seven-week-old Angus heifers sold for an average of €175.

This five-week-old heifer calf sold for €180.

This group of five-week-old bull calves averaged €120.