Camera at the Mart: strong start to 2025 Friesian bull calf prices

Calf numbers held firm in Bandon Mart this week, with 280 going through the ring.

West Cork was spared the brunt of storm Éowyn, but strong winds throughout Sunday evening continued across the morning and some farmers may have decided to wait a week before selling.

The majority of Friesian bull calves over three weeks of age and weighing over 60kg were generally making from €130 to €170.

Compared with the same time last year, prices for them seem to be running ahead by about €20 to €40/head.

Heavier bull calves in the same age range sold for over €200. A share of Friesian bulls over six weeks old but in a similar weight range made from €40 to €70. Other Friesian bulls the same age but TB tested were making up to €260.

Angus challenging numbers

It’s early in the season, but judging on this week’s sale, Angus are already challenging Friesians when it comes to the number of calves on offer.

Demand for them has remained firm, but is back a fraction on what it was in early December and comparing with the sale at the end of January last year, the top end of Angus wasn’t hitting the same heights.

That said, those high prices in 2024 were mainly paid for those over 80kg and they weren’t available in the same numbers this week.

Those that were close to that mark made from €300 to €375, but the bulk of Angus-cross calves tended to make between €240 and €300.

Hereford-cross calves were smaller in number this week, but tracked close to Angus-cross prices. Lighter Angus- and Hereford-crosses were making similar money to Friesian bull calves.

There was a larger selection of continental-crosses available and they were the star attractions when it came to prices, with up to €540 available for these.

What was of note was that while there appeared to be a bit more going for the lighter continentals, the sale-topping prices seemed to be similar to most other years.