Calf numbers are starting to climb, with 620 on offer in Bandon Mart this week. There was a noticeable jump in the number of Friesian bull calves available, while Hereford-crosses were also very visible.

Prices ranged from between €88 to €180/hd for export-type Friesian bull calves, while a small selection of Friesian heifer calves sold for either side of €300.

There was solid demand for traditional beef breed-crosses, with bull calves selling for between €200 and €435.

Heifers of these breeds sold for between €180 and €380.

Continentals were thin on the ground, with heifers selling making from €280 to €435 and continental bulls making €300 to €480/hd.

Cows

Cow numbers were back on recent weeks, with 80 on offer, and there was no significant change in prices.

They made from €50 to €680 with their weight, with cull Friesian cows dominated the numbers. The small number of fleshed continental cows sold well.

Sample cow prices:

  • One Charolais, 680kg - €1,310, €1.93/kg.
  • One Simmental, 700kg - €1,250, €1.79/kg.
  • One Friesian, 680kg - €1,030, €1.52/kg.
  • One Friesian, 580kg - €1,100, €1.90/kg.

    • In the bullock sale, there was a smaller selection available, with a very mixed bag in terms of what was on offer.

    Lots varied from over-age out-of-spec stock, two-year-old stores and a number of sellers testing the water with a handful of yearling bullocks available.

    These bullocks born March 2016 and weighing 517kg sold for €995/hd (€1.93/kg) at Bandon.

    There were just under 70 bullocks on offer.

    Friesian bullocks made from €1.67/kg to €1.84/kg. Angus and Herefords sold for between €1.93/kg and €2.23/kg.

    This March 2017 Angus bull weighing 360kg sold for €740 (€2.06/kg) at Bandon.

    Bullocks born January 2017, weighing 345kg each, sold for €770 or €2.23/kg at Bandon.

    Sample bullock prices:

  • One Simmental, February 2014, 945kg - €1,800, €1.91/kg.
  • One Hereford, July 2016, 410kg - €850, €2.07/kg.
  • Three Friesians, October 2015, 668kg - €1,175, €1.76/kg.
  • Five Friesians, February 2016, 548kg - €995, €1.82/kg.
  • One Angus, May 2016, 575kg - €1130, €1.97/kg.
  • Six Angus, January 2017, 345kg - €770, €2.23/kg.

    • These bullocks, born February 2016 and weighing 618kg, sold for €1,070/hd or €1.73/kg at Bandon.

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