The recent cuts to beef prices don’t seem to have had much of an impact on the market for dropped calves, with demand remaining robust at the weekly sale run by Rathfriland Farmers Co-operative Society Ltd. last Friday.

Among the calves on offer, bulls aged up to six months achieved the highest prices, with the top price of £1,220 paid for a Belgian Blue, while a number of other weaned blue calves made over £1,000.

The top-priced heifer calf was an Angus at £910, with other strong heifer calves, off milk, selling upwards from £600.

Younger beef-bred heifer calves generally made between £300 and £400.

Weanlings

In the weanling ring, prices have eased back a little over the last month, although well conformed suckler types remain a strong trade.

Prices for weanling males peaked last Friday at 544p/kg, paid for a 342kg Charolais calf at £1,860. Other Charolais calves sold to £1,800 for 394kg (457p/kg) and £1,700 for 395kg (430p/kg).

The top-priced weanling heifer was a 334kg Limousin at £1,570 (470p/kg).

Among stronger bullocks on offer, prices are back due to reduced factory quotes, with a 776kg Hereford selling for £2,250 (290p/kg) and a 700kg Limousin at £2,200 (314p/kg). The top price per kg was paid for a 533kg Charolais at £2,110 (396p/kg).

The top-priced store heifer was a 547kg Limousin at £2,000 (366p/kg).