This special camera at the mart feature is from last Monday’s calf sale at Kilmallock Mart. Denis Kirby of Golden Vale Marts said that there was an entry of 90 calves on offer out of a total entry of 800.

Denis said that the calf sales have been small, but numbers are rising week on week. Demand was driven primarily by farmers, who were actively sourcing good-quality calves for rearing. The best demand was for stronger calves, with good-quality continentals reaching the highest prices.

Continental bull calves sold mainly from €380 to €420, with exceptional older types making just shy of €500/head. The top price was for a Simmental-cross heifer calf that sold for €495.

Limousin and Belgian Blue calves sold mainly from €350 to €450, with good-quality three- and four-week-old Herefords making similar prices. Demand for Angus calves was quite strong also and, as a result, prices ranged from €200 to €360 per head.

Supply and demand was the creation of the buoyant trade, with farmers very active for all types. The lowest price on the day was €80, with the majority of two- to four-week-old Friesian bull calves selling from €140 to €200 per head, and the majority of strong and good-quality calves making around €180/head. Commission rates are €3.50 to the seller, with no entry fee, and €9.30 to the buyer.

Farmers driving calf prices but numbers small at Kilmallock Mart

This special camera at the mart feature is from last Monday’s calf sale at Kilmallock Mart. Denis Kirby of Golden Vale Marts said that there was an entry of 90 calves.