Mart managers continue to report exceptional demand from shippers for bull calves and this is resulting in a widening of the gap between prices bulls and heifers. That difference in price between bulls and heifers can be anywhere from €100 to €200 at times according to Castleisland Mart manager, Neilus McAuliffe.

“Those very light heifers around 50kg to 55kg were making from €250 to €280 with bulls around the same weight making from €400 to €450. For a calf that’s a bit heavier, you’re looking at €500 to €600 and higher in cases.”

Ciara Ryan, manager of Thurles Mart reported a similar trend.

“We’re seeing it here, that shippers are really going for bull calves more than heifers lately and that’s helping the trade for them.”

Data from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) also shows that prices from Angus- and Hereford-cross bull calves continue to exceed last year while heifer calf prices have dipped below those paid in 2025. Both breeds continue to account for 80% of all calves traded.

Hereford-cross bull calves were €142/head dearer than heifer calves of the same breed over the last week.

The average price of a Hereford-cross bull calf was €486/head this week while a Hereford-cross heifer averaged €344/head.

It’s a similar story for Angus-cross calves where bulls traded for €446/head and heifers made €310/head, a difference of €136/head.

Friesian bulls have remained above 2025 levels all spring too and over the last week they averaged €285/head.