Last Tuesday’s calf sale at Kilkenny Mart saw an increased entry of 420 calves on offer. Mart manager Michael Lynch said that numbers took a good jump this week, with higher numbers expected again in the coming weeks as peak calf season approaches.

This Limousin-cross heifer calf sold for €165.

Michael said that the trade was quite strong for Angus and Hereford calves and for continentals, but Friesian bull prices were just slightly weaker than last week. Michael said that the previous week, Friesian bulls were selling mainly from €60 to €70/head, but young calves were met with weaker demand this week.

This two-week-old Friesian bull calf sold for €25.

At the top of the market, strong Friesian bull calves sold mainly from €100 to €130 for three-quarter weaned types. However, demand for young calves was a little weaker and prices ranged from €20 to €80/head, with the majority selling from €50 to €70/head.

This Hereford bull calf sold for €215.

Exporters kept a firm floor under the trade.

Angus bull calves varied in prices also, but the stronger types sold from €150 to €270/head, with lighter types from €100 to €150.

This Salers-cross bull calf sold for €250.

Angus heifers sold from €150 to €250 for stronger types, but young calves and plain calves made from €60 to €120. Herefords were a similar trade, but light types sold for higher prices than light Angus.

This pair of Friesian-cross bull calves sold for €10 each.

Continental bull calves sold from €180 to €390, with heifers from €135 to €285. Commission rates are €7 to buyer and €5 to €8 to the seller.

This pair of Friesian-cross bull calves sold for €10 each.

This pair of Friesian bull calves sold for €70 each.

This pair of Friesian bull calves sold for €40 each.