The number of data points from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) calf price table remains steady and at 14,506, it’s about 400 head below last week.
After a month where prices largely fell by double digits most weeks, trade has softened by comparison over the last seven days.
Angus-crosses made up 44% of all calves this week and bull calves of the same breed were trading at €408/head, back €7 on last week, while Angus-cross heifers only slipped €2/head to €297.
The number of Hereford-crosses is up to 23% this week and prices for bull calves aged between three and six weeks of age were back €14/head for an average of €447. Hereford-cross heifers the same age slipped €10/head to €326.
Compared with a month ago, both Angus- and Hereford-cross heifer calf prices are back €77/head, while Angus-cross bulls are down €57/head on mid-March.
Hereford-cross bulls fell in price by €63/head over the last four weeks.
Current prices for traditional beef breed crosses are closing in on last year’s prices, but remain considerably ahead of the same week in 2024 when Angus- and Hereford-cross heifer calves were averaging €93/head and €99/head respectively. At the same time, Hereford-cross bulls were trading for €159/head and Angus-crosses made €136/head.
Friesian bull numbers exceeded 2,000 head, with the vast majority of them between three and six weeks of age.
Mart managers have said that this spring, Friesian bulls have been one of the most consistent categories of calf on offer and while beef breeds have generally fallen in price, an average of €266/head was paid for Friesian bulls over the past week, an increase of €10/head on the week before.
Belgian Blue-crosses are the most popular of the continental breeds and are closing in on supply 10% of all calves sold.
Older bull calves sold for an average of €511/head, back €26 on last week. Heifer calves of the breed saw their price rise by €8/head to €453.
EU prices
At €276/head, Irish dairy-sired calves remain €25 behind the EU average of €301/head.
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