Calf numbers are steadily increasing in Bandon Mart, with the 1,000 calf mark expected within the next fortnight. This week’s sale saw 700 calves go through the ring.

Trade carried on where it left off for beef-cross calves, but the news that bad weather will affect ferry sailings this week hit export calf prices hardest. Across all types of calves, those in the three- to four-week age bracket sold best.

Friesian bulls

Friesian bulls were those that felt the brunt of storm Ciara most, with export-type calves back €20 to €30/head on last week’s sale and it was all down to the high winds we're currently experiencing. They generally made between €15 and €80.

At the same there, was still up to €150 paid for the stronger calf, with farmer buyers competing for the squarer animal. There was a small number that sold from €1 to €15. These were smaller calves from cross-bred-type cows.

Beef-crosses

Conditions at sea had no bearing on the trade for beef-crosses, with traditional beef breed-cross bull calves meeting very solid demand. They sold for between €130 and €275, with heifers of these breeds selling for between €100 and €285.

Continental calves were very scarce this week, but remained in good demand.

Heifers sold for up to €335 and continental bulls sold up to €340.

There was a small selection of Friesian heifer calves suitable for breeding. These sold for up between €90 to €190.