Tuesday evening’s calf sale at Tralee Mart saw another large entry on offer. Mart manager Philip Healy said that the peak of numbers occurred the previous week and, so far, calf throughout is running about 20% ahead of this time last year.

There was strong export demand which underpinned the trade for Friesian bulls. Shippers’ calves sold mainly from €60 to €100/head, with some prices of up to €110 paid for Friesians at the top of the market.

A larger proportion of Friesian bulls on offer in recent weeks were younger two-week-olds.

Philip added that at the upper end of the market, farmers continue to buy better-quality Friesian bulls, with prices of up to €150/head paid for better-shaped and older bulls. However, he added that farmer demand for these calves has dropped in recent weeks.

There were a good entry of Angus and Herefords on offer also, with the numbers of these well up on last year. Prices are very dependent on quality, with buyers shying away from light and plain calves that could be from a Jersey background.

These black calves were making Friesian prices. Better-quality Angus and Hereford bulls sold mainly from €200 to €250, with continental calves selling to €395/head.

More pictures at www.farmersjournal.ie.