The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to farmersjournal.ie on this browser until 9pm next Wednesday. Thank you for buying the paper and using the code.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact us.
For assistance, call 01 4199525
or email subs@farmersjournal.ie
If would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525
Reset password
Please enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password
If would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address.
Please click on the link in this email to reset
your password. If you can't find it in your inbox,
please check your spam folder. If you can't
find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
Email address not recognised
There is no subscription associated with this email
address. To read our subscriber-only content.
please subscribe or use the reader loyalty code.
Average calf prices collated from ICBF mart data shows that prices hit new heights in an extraordinary spring for calves, as late season export demand drove the trade upwards.
The 2025 calf trade will be remembered as one where the script was thrown out as it took on a life of its own. Farmers drove on prices early on with exporters taking over the trade in April and May.
Increased demand from Europe has been a notable trend in calf sales through April and May. Shippers have been very active especially for stronger calves.
It's been an extraordinary spring for calves with increased demand both from at home and abroad. Tommy Moyles caught up with a number of mart mangers to get their thoughts on the 2025 calf trade.
A strong trade is resulting in more farmers opting to sell their calves in marts this year. The rare sight of rising prices and supply can be seen at mart calf sales at present writes Tommy Moyles.
Strong demand from the continent along with similar appetite from home buyers has seen the calf trade ramp back up as prices were up across the board this week.
Demand from continent sees almost 20,000 extra calves being shipped out of the state compared to same time last year. The Netherlands and Spain remain the biggest markets.
At a time when the supply of beef calves is increasing and prices usually steady or taper off, the 2025 calf trade is defying norms as prices continue in an upward trajectory reports Tommy Moyles
All categories of livestock are contributing to the 29% increase in exports, with weanling exports rising by over 90% and calf exports running over 13% higher.