Specialist suckled calf sales in NI marts are off to a very strong start in 2026.

At Ballymena Livestock Mart last Saturday, a large turnout of 706 calves was present and sold to a top price of £9,100 for a Charolais show-type heifer.

Heifer trade was exceptional, with many lots weighing up to 350kg, realising over 600p/kg and a number of well-bred, continental types reaching over 1,050p/kg.

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Some highlights included a 360kg Limousin heifer which sold for £4,700 (1,305p/kg) and a 320kg Belgian Blue heifer realised £4,500 (1,460p/kg).

Male calves sold to a top of £2,620 (623p/kg) for a 420kg Limousin, with a number of others realising over 600p/kg.

Lighter calves weighing up to 300kg commanded the highest prices per kg, with some making over 700p/kg including a 230kg Charolais at £1,640 (713p/kg).

Armoy Livestock Mart’s opening sale of suckled Limousin calves last Thursday also saw a strong demand for stock, with 93 of the 95 calves presented sold.

A more commercial type of calf was on offer, with some show-class types also being presented. Calves trading at the higher end of the market predominantly weighed over 300kg.

Male calves sold for an average of £1,493 (467p/kg) and reached a top of £2,210 (395p/kg) for an older limousin calf weighing 560kg.

Heifers sold from £840 to a top of £2,750 paid for a 350kg Limousin at 785p/kg.

In total, 31 heifer calves sold to an average of £1,373 (452p/kg).

Swatragh Livestock Market’s Charolais suckled calf sale on Monday saw an entry of 360 calves and strong trade throughout.

Males sold to a top of £2,590 (508p/kg) for a 510kg animal, with many of the lots weighing up to 400kg crossing the 600p/kg barrier with the top on the day of 625p/kg for a 304kg Charolais.

Heifers sold to £2,400 for 510kg (471p/kg), with most lots averaging over 550p/kg. The top of 642p/kg was paid for a 270kg heifer at £1,670.