The first suckled calf sale of the season at the Ulster Farmers Mart in Enniskillen on Tuesday evening saw good prices for all types of calves. A show of around 170 calves, mostly weighing between 250kg and 300kg, managed to draw a very large crowd around the sales ring.

The best-quality calves were in high demand, with a few making £500 along with their weight. Top conformation quality Charolais bull calves, between 250kg and 300kg, made from £2.70/kg to £3/kg, with the highest prices at £840 for 280kg and £740 for 248kg bulls. Top heifer calves were making slightly less at around £2.60/kg to £2.70/kg.

Slightly plainer lots also sold well, with Charolais bred calves making £400 to £450 over their weight (£2.45/kg to £2.65/kg).

Other breeds were also in demand, with Limousin bulls around 300kg making £400 along with their weight (£2.35/kg), with the best quality calves making more. A few heavier animals, over 400kg, made around £400 along with their weight (£2/kg).

Plainer types and the run of heifer calves still made £300 to £350 along with their weight (£2.10/kg to £2.30/kg).

Lighter animals sold well accordingly, with a batch of Simmental bred heifers and bulls, under 200kg, making around £350 along with their weight. Plain, light calves made around £250 over their weight (£2.25/kg).