Calf numbers are starting to climb, with 620 on offer in Bandon Mart this week. There was a noticeable jump in the number of Friesian bull calves available, while Hereford-crosses were also very visible.
Prices ranged from between €88 to €180/hd for export-type Friesian bull calves, while a small selection of Friesian heifer calves sold for either side of €300.
There was solid demand for traditional beef breed-crosses, with bull calves selling for between €200 and €435.
Heifers of these breeds sold for between €180 and €380.
Continentals were thin on the ground, with heifers selling making from €280 to €435 and continental bulls making €300 to €480/hd.
Cows
Cow numbers were back on recent weeks, with 80 on offer, and there was no significant change in prices.
They made from €50 to €680 with their weight, with cull Friesian cows dominated the numbers. The small number of fleshed continental cows sold well.
Sample cow prices:
In the bullock sale, there was a smaller selection available, with a very mixed bag in terms of what was on offer.
Lots varied from over-age out-of-spec stock, two-year-old stores and a number of sellers testing the water with a handful of yearling bullocks available.
These bullocks born March 2016 and weighing 517kg sold for €995/hd (€1.93/kg) at Bandon.
There were just under 70 bullocks on offer.
Friesian bullocks made from €1.67/kg to €1.84/kg. Angus and Herefords sold for between €1.93/kg and €2.23/kg.
This March 2017 Angus bull weighing 360kg sold for €740 (€2.06/kg) at Bandon.
Bullocks born January 2017, weighing 345kg each, sold for €770 or €2.23/kg at Bandon.
Sample bullock prices:
These bullocks, born February 2016 and weighing 618kg, sold for €1,070/hd or €1.73/kg at Bandon.
Replacement ship found for calf exports