Rathfriland Mart is the latest recruit to install the Irish Farmers Journal online bidding platform Martbids.

Mart manager Jim McCrumb said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer the online service to our buyers and sellers.

"We have some buyers who haven’t ventured out to marts since COVID-19 struck and they have started to use the online system already, so we are delighted with that."

Trade on the day was brisk for dairy-beef calves, with a steady trade also for stronger Friesian and Friesian-cross bull calves.

Numbers have started to ramp up in the last two weeks, with big numbers expected over the next six weeks.

Rathfriland Mart’s Kenny Dodds said: “There is a big difference opening up between the stronger four- to five-week-old calf and the two- to three-week-old calf.

"We have good farmer activity for calves at this time of year, with a number of good customers in attendance each week," he added.

Hereford calves

Good Hereford bull calves were making £200 to £250/head (€235 to €294), while heifer calves were making around £200 (€235).

Continental calves hit £300 (€352) for good-quality calves, with £350 (€411) being paid for three-month-old runners.

The general cattle trade was also good, with grass buyers starting to venture out ringside again.

Southern trade

In the south of Ireland, the calf trade has dipped this week, especially for younger Friesian-cross calves.

A number of marts have reported poor exporter activity this week due to issues with boats being cancelled. This is due to a poor weather forecast for the next few days.

This has reduced prices for younger Friesian calves, with as low as €1/head being paid for calves in some marts over the last few days.

For more mart coverage and exports update, see this week’s Irish Farmers Journal.