Spring 2025’s calf trade was regarded as a record-breaking one, which saw calves sell for multiples. In 2026 it hit a whole new level again. Average prices for the main categories of calves were anywhere from €72/head to €120/head above last year’s record-breaking prices.

Traditional breeds dominated the calf rings of marts across the country and the trade patterns were divided along the sexes.

Prices for both bulls and heifers headed in a downward trajectory after the first week of March and continued to head south before recovering from the last week of April.

Both breeds started off at exceptionally high prices, with Hereford-cross bulls selling for €274/head over their 2025 prices for one week in February.

They proved to be the star performers of the main breeds and prices for them remained above last year throughout the Irish Farmers Journal’s weekly calf coverage based on the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) calf price database from February through to June. They traded for an average weekly price of €496/head. This is €120/head ahead of last year and €291/head over 2024.

At an average price of €460/head Angus-cross bulls made €105/head more than their average price of last year and were €285/head over 2024 prices. They hit their highest weekly price of €559 at the end of February and within two months they hit their floor price of €402/head.

Friesians

Mart managers regularly highlighted the consistency of Friesian bull calves at sale this year. While prices for other breeds ebbed and flowed from February to June, Friesians remained relatively constant. They averaged €283/head this spring up €74/head on last year and €216/head above their average price in 2024. Strong demand, in particular from Dutch buyers, saw Friesian prices hit a new level. They fell to a seasonal low of €252/head in early March, but this is a marked contrast to their average price of €59/head in 2022.

Friesian prices peaked at the end of May when limited availability saw them average €324/head for that week.

Breeds

Friesians along with Angus- and Hereford-crosses made up 85% of sales this spring with Angus-crosses dominating in marts. They made up 41% of all calves on offer this spring. One quarter of all calves were Friesians, up 4% compared to 2025. That increase came at the expense of Hereford-crosses, which fell by 4%. They accounted for 19% of calves at marts this spring.