The special Camera at the Mart was at Kilmallock’s calf sale on Monday last. Denis Kirby, Golden Vale Marts, said that the weather had a big impact on the numbers on the day. He said that from 7am to about 11am, heavy rain and strong winds battered the area, which put some farmers off selling calves.

In total, there were about 400 calves on offer, but this number would have been back a bit on the same sale last year. Price-wise, he said that average prices are running ahead of the same time last year. Denis said that next Monday they are expecting about 700 to 800 calves, which he said will give a better barometer of the trade and price.

There was little to no exporter activity on Monday last, although he expects exporters to become more active in the coming weeks when numbers rise and prices ease.

There was strong demand from farmers and rearers in the west also.

The sale on Monday was driven primarily by farmer buyers who were particularly active for all good-quality types. He said that farmers were most active for stronger-type calves and paid from €120 to €220 for good-quality strong Friesian calves. The majority of those on offer were January calves, and the highest prices were paid for stronger three- and four-week-old types.

There were about 50 Angus heifers and 80 Angus bulls which made from €250 to as high as €400. Hereford heifers and bulls sold from €250 to €450, but the numbers available were quite small. Continentals were met with strong farmer demand also, with some suckler men buying to replace lost calves, while others went to calf rearers.

Prices ranged from €350 to €400 for Limousins, with Blues making from €400 to €470. Denis said that one strong Charolais bull made a massive €560.

Commission rates are €3.50/head upwards based on calf price and the number of animals in each lot.

Saturday’s sale in New Ross mart saw calf numbers rise by about 100 head to 400. Mart manager Richard Kirwan said that numbers are rising and he expects about 500 next week.

He said that traditionally, March and April see the strongest supply of calves, but this year with no quota restrictions he is expecting February and March to be the busiest months.

Soft Friesian calves were back a little at Saturday’s sale, with little exporter activity, although he did say that he has had a few calls from exporters that will be active from next week on. Soft Friesian calves or exporter-types sold from €60 to €100, while stronger, farmers-type Friesians made from €115 to €225 per head.

He said that there was a good supply of Angus and Hereford bulls which sold from €250 to €430, while heifers made from €200 to €270. Again the trade was farmer-driven, and he said that there seems to be more farmers buying those types of calves at the Saturday sale as they may be working during the week.

Strong trade

Continental calves were a very strong trade once again and he said that it looks like the numbers on offer this year will be up again on last year. Continental bulls sold from €270 to €450 for calves from three to four weeks of age.

Again Richard said that the stronger and well-conformed calf is attracting the higher prices. Continental heifers sold from €250 to €420 on the day also.