Kilkenny Mart had over 150 lots of calves at its weekly calf sale on Tuesday. The calf sale was the first sale to run online since restrictions in marts were put in place.

Good-quality calves were a very good trade, with a 100% clearance on the day of all calves on offer.

Two Hereford-cross bulls born 23/04/2020 sold for €175.

MartBids analysis

Martbids analysis shows the average price of heifer calves was recorded at over €180 per head, with bulls averaging over €150.

Continental calves continue to hit the highest prices, with €365 being paid for one lot of choice March 2020-born Charolais heifer calves.

This Hereford-cross heifer born 8 April 2020 sold for €240.

The general run of good-quality continental calves was €200 to €300, depending on age and quality.

Strong Angus bull calves were hitting €200 to €220, with lesser-type younger Angus calves in the €100 to €150 bracket. Angus heifers also met a good trade, with a few customers willing to go the extra distance to secure good-quality calves.

These Limousin-cross heifers born from 5 April 2020 to 10 April 2020 sold for €255.

The general run for Angus heifers was €150 to €180, with younger calves being bought for less. Mart manager Micheal Lynch said: “We are seeing calf supplies dry up in this area, but we are still getting calls from farmers and exporters looking for calves which is a good sign.”