While calf numbers are experiencing their seasonal decline, numbers are still relatively stable, with data from over 9,000 calves available on the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) calf price database last week.

There were reports from marts over the last week that there was a bit more demand coming from both shippers and farmers for bull calves and this played out for both Angus- and Hereford-cross bulls.

Prices for both have turned in a positive direction over the last fortnight and they have returned to similar levels to what they were in the second half of March.

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Angus-cross bulls traded for an average of €441/head over the last week, a lift of €15, while Hereford-cross bulls experienced a bigger price rise. They were €25/head dearer this week as they averaged €486.

Heifer calves sired by traditional beef breed bulls seem to have arrested the price slide they were on since early March.

Last week, prices for Angus-cross heifers were up €17/head compared with the previous seven days, as they traded for an average of €304/head.

Similar to bulls of the same breed, Hereford-cross heifers got a larger price rise, going up €30/head to €349.

This puts Hereford-cross heifer prices €28/head dearer than the same week last year, while Angus crosses are €2/head behind 2025 levels.

Friesian bull supply continues to slip and, unusually, their price is heading south too. They changed hands for €277/head last week, a reduction of €19.

While this is €20/head up on 12 months ago, their prices were on a consistent upward trajectory at the time. Saying that, it’s a far cry from 2024 when they were €200 cheaper.

Belgian Blue-crosses remain the most numerous of the continental-cross calves. Prices for both bulls and heifers were back last week.

Bull calves sold for an average of €550/head, a reduction of €18, while heifers slipped €6/head to €488.

Angus-crosses accounted for 52% of all calves traded, while Hereford-crosses made up a quarter of what was available. Friesian bulls have slipped to 8% of all calves and are a little above the number of Belgian Blue-crosses.