Camera at the Mart: exceptional trade for bull calves in New Ross

There was stronger demand for bull calves at Waterford Ross Mart in New Ross on Saturday last for Co Wexford mart’s weekly calf sale.

Farmers and shippers were active for the 460 calves that were on offer.

Angus- and Hereford-crosses made up most of what was available and bulls of both breeds were trading for between €350 and €750.

There was a shade more going for continental -cross bulls, with a top price of €995 paid for a five-week-old Limousin-cross bull. For continental heifers, the prices ranged from €300 to €800.

Traditional beef breed heifer calves were generally making between €200 and €650, with a small number selling below this range.

Friesian numbers are drying up, but lighter calves were making from €150 to €350 and reared ones sold from €400 to €600.

Following the sale, manager Richard Kirwan said: “There seemed to be a better trade for the bulls, more than usual. I thought farmers were nearly finished buying, but it seems some held on and started buying in recent weeks.

“There are some more who are coming back for a second run, with a first lot of calves gone to grass now.

“Shippers have been active, but farmers have been competing well with them.

“In general, this spring, numbers and prices are good. I’d take another spring like it. In 2024, we were getting bids of €5 or no bids for calves or we had to beg people to take them and now there’s queues for calves.

“A lot of calves now are coming in at close to [one] month of age, whereas before it was close to 11 days. They’re easier to sell then.”