A calmer weather forecast and a turnout of strong calves resulted in a significant rise in prices for Friesian bull calves at this week's sale in Bandon, Co Cork. Numbers were back slightly on last week, with 1,500 calves going through the ring.
This group of Hereford bull calves sold for €255, the oldest was 26 days.
Storm Ophelia for calves
Describing last week’s sale, mart manager, Tom McCarthy said: "Last Monday was like a storm Ophelia for calves. There were no boats sailing, shippers' yards were full and it was the peak calf sale of the year."
This group of 37-day-old Friesian bull calves sold for €75.
He was more optimistic for this week's offering, saying: "Conditions are to be good for the next two or three sailings."
A second sale on Thursday should also see improved trade.
"If demand keeps going this way we'd be expecting a good calf sale on Thursday. As it's a sailing day calves will be able to go straight from the yard here to the boat," said McCarthy.
Shipping calves made €35 to €85, a significant rise on last week.
Friesian bull calves
Many of the calves on offer on Monday were at least three weeks of age and this gave buyers a bit more confidence. Friesian bull calves for shipping sold from €35 to €85 – up significantly from €5 to €50 of a week ago.
The average price for these calves was somewhere in the region of €65. Stronger Friesian bull calves made up to €115.
Beef calves
Angus and Hereford bull calves sold from €110 up to €350. Traditional beef breed heifer calves sold for between €90 and €250.
Angus and Hereford calves sold for between €90 to €250 and bulls selling for between €110 and €350.
Continental calves saw prices range from €180 to €375 for heifers, with bulls making from €230 to €400. Prices for beef calves from Jersey cross herds varied on quality, but in the main made similar money to Friesian bull calves.
These 37-day-old Angus bull calves sold for €190.
Bullocks
There was just under 300 bullocks on offer, with a good mix of 2017- and 2018-born stock available. 2018-born Angus and Herefords were mainly making €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg, with upwards of €2.25/kg available for outliers. Traditional beef bullocks around two years of age were selling from €1.75/kg to €1.90/kg.
This group of February 2018-born bullocks, weighing 365kg, sold for €720 (€1.97/kg).
Prices for Friesian bullocks were dependant on weight and quality. They sold for up to €1.73/kg for older Friesians and around €1.55/kg for yearlings.
These February 2017-born bullocks, weighing 447kg, sold for €770 (€1.72/kg).
Four Angus, March 2018, 356kg – €800 (€2.25/kg).Seven Angus, February 2018, 343kg – €700 (€2.04/kg).Four Hereford, February 2018, 376kg – €735 (€1.96/kg).Five Friesian, October 2017, 525kg – €890 (€1.70/kg).Two Hereford, February 2017, 627kg – €1,140 (€1.82/kg).Five Friesian, January 2018, 358kg – €540 (€1.51/kg).
This group of March 2018-born bullocks had an average weight of 320kg and sold for €640 (€2/kg).
These March 2018-born bullocks, weighing 332kg, sold for €685 (€2.06/kg).
A calmer weather forecast and a turnout of strong calves resulted in a significant rise in prices for Friesian bull calves at this week's sale in Bandon, Co Cork. Numbers were back slightly on last week, with 1,500 calves going through the ring.
This group of Hereford bull calves sold for €255, the oldest was 26 days.
Storm Ophelia for calves
Describing last week’s sale, mart manager, Tom McCarthy said: "Last Monday was like a storm Ophelia for calves. There were no boats sailing, shippers' yards were full and it was the peak calf sale of the year."
This group of 37-day-old Friesian bull calves sold for €75.
He was more optimistic for this week's offering, saying: "Conditions are to be good for the next two or three sailings."
A second sale on Thursday should also see improved trade.
"If demand keeps going this way we'd be expecting a good calf sale on Thursday. As it's a sailing day calves will be able to go straight from the yard here to the boat," said McCarthy.
Shipping calves made €35 to €85, a significant rise on last week.
Friesian bull calves
Many of the calves on offer on Monday were at least three weeks of age and this gave buyers a bit more confidence. Friesian bull calves for shipping sold from €35 to €85 – up significantly from €5 to €50 of a week ago.
The average price for these calves was somewhere in the region of €65. Stronger Friesian bull calves made up to €115.
Beef calves
Angus and Hereford bull calves sold from €110 up to €350. Traditional beef breed heifer calves sold for between €90 and €250.
Angus and Hereford calves sold for between €90 to €250 and bulls selling for between €110 and €350.
Continental calves saw prices range from €180 to €375 for heifers, with bulls making from €230 to €400. Prices for beef calves from Jersey cross herds varied on quality, but in the main made similar money to Friesian bull calves.
These 37-day-old Angus bull calves sold for €190.
Bullocks
There was just under 300 bullocks on offer, with a good mix of 2017- and 2018-born stock available. 2018-born Angus and Herefords were mainly making €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg, with upwards of €2.25/kg available for outliers. Traditional beef bullocks around two years of age were selling from €1.75/kg to €1.90/kg.
This group of February 2018-born bullocks, weighing 365kg, sold for €720 (€1.97/kg).
Prices for Friesian bullocks were dependant on weight and quality. They sold for up to €1.73/kg for older Friesians and around €1.55/kg for yearlings.
These February 2017-born bullocks, weighing 447kg, sold for €770 (€1.72/kg).
Four Angus, March 2018, 356kg – €800 (€2.25/kg).Seven Angus, February 2018, 343kg – €700 (€2.04/kg).Four Hereford, February 2018, 376kg – €735 (€1.96/kg).Five Friesian, October 2017, 525kg – €890 (€1.70/kg).Two Hereford, February 2017, 627kg – €1,140 (€1.82/kg).Five Friesian, January 2018, 358kg – €540 (€1.51/kg).
This group of March 2018-born bullocks had an average weight of 320kg and sold for €640 (€2/kg).
These March 2018-born bullocks, weighing 332kg, sold for €685 (€2.06/kg).
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