Calf numbers rose in Brandon Mart compared with last week, with 350 on offer. Manager Tom McCarthy said there was fierce demand for calves at the moment, with this very evident in the prices. He added: “Exporters couldn’t compete with strong farmer demand. This shows that there is more than one market available to calves. The rise of Angus and Hereford calves is really showing this January with an almost 50:50 split of Friesians and beef-cross calves.”

Friesian bull calves made from €80 to €220. Hereford and Angus bulls made from €220 to €380 and Angus and Hereford heifer calves sold from €200 to €350. Continental heifers sold from €300 to €430 and continental bulls made from €380 to €450.

Cows

There were 130 cows on sale and they made from €50 under to €550 over the €/kg. Cow output remains strong, with the majority of Friesian cows selling for in or around the €200 mark with their weight. Heavy cows or continentals sold for more. Sample prices:

  • One Friesian 810kg - €1,110, €1.37/kg.
  • One Friesian 710kg - €930, €1.31/kg.
  • One Friesian 670kg - €915, €1.37/kg.
  • One Friesian 590kg - €790, €1.34/kg.
  • One Montbeliarde 675kg - €960, €1.42/kg.
  • One Montbeliarde 900kg - €1,440, €1.60/kg.
  • One Limousin 695kg - €1,260, €1.81/kg.

    • Bullocks

    There were 100 bullocks on offer with a 90% clearance. Angus and Herefords were in demand with these selling from €330 to €700 with their weight. Friesian bullocks sold for between €250 and €450 over the €/kg. Continentals were in very limited supply and were mainly 2016-born stock and made between €400 and €600 with their weight.

    Sample prices:

  • One Hereford, March 2015, 685kg - €1,270, €1.85/kg.
  • Two Angus, July 2015, 540kg - €1,000, €1.85/kg.
  • Three Friesian, February 2014, 755kg - €1,205, €1.60/kg.
  • Two Friesian, January 2015, 497kg - €820, €1.65/kg.
  • Six Hereford, February 2015, 654kg - €1,350, €2.06/kg.
  • One Limousin, February 2015, 615kg - €1,150, €1.87/kg.
  • Three Hereford, March 2014, 761kg - €1,370, €1.80/kg.

    • Sample prices for 2016-born bullocks:

  • Four Charolais, February, 330kg - €810 ,€2.46/kg.
  • Three Simmental, February, 301kg - €705, €2.334/kg.
  • Three Limousin, March, 260kg - €610, €2.35/kg.
  • Five Friesian, February, 283kg - €490, €1.73/kg.
  • Three Angus, January, 295kg - €645, €2.19/kg

    • Heifers

    There were 45 heifers on offer, making from €250 to €520 over the €/kg. Sample prices:

  • Two Hereford 442kg - €830, €1.88/kg.
  • One Simmental 540kg - €1,110, €2.06/kg.
  • Four Angus 418kg - €800, €1.91/kg.
  • One Friesian 750kg - €1,040, €1.39/kg

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    What can I pay for a calf this spring?