Just shy of 220 calves were traded in Kilkenny Mart on Tuesday as the mart continues to implement a revised trading format in line with COVID-19 restrictions. Given the nature of the restrictions, it is a strong number to be moving in one day.Tuesday’s offering consisted of 130 male calves and almost 90 female calves and these were met with a 100% clearance. The majority of the calves on offer were in excess of three weeks old.
Just shy of 220 calves were traded in Kilkenny Mart on Tuesday as the mart continues to implement a revised trading format in line with COVID-19 restrictions. Given the nature of the restrictions, it is a strong number to be moving in one day.
Tuesday’s offering consisted of 130 male calves and almost 90 female calves and these were met with a 100% clearance. The majority of the calves on offer were in excess of three weeks old.
By breed, one-third of the bull calves were Friesians, while Angus-crosses and Hereford-crosses accounted for another 32% and 20% respectively.
Looking at the trends in prices compared with last week, Angus-cross bulls were up €5 to €10/head, Friesian bulls held constant and Hereford-cross bulls fell by around €10/head.
Prices
Friesian bull calves averaged €80/head, with first-rate, stronger Friesians ranging between €100/head and €130/head typically, and second-rate, less-advanced Friesian bulls trading between €30/head and €70/head mainly.
Angus-cross bull calves averaged €169/head, with a typical range of €130 to €210/head depending on strength and quality.
Hereford-cross bulls saw a fine trade and averaged €213/head, while a typical range was roughly €170 to €260/head.
Continental bull calves were not plentiful, but that served to heighten demand.
Two Belgian Blue-crosses sold for €310 each, while three nice Charolais-crosses fell between €310/head and €400/head.
Ten Limousin-cross bulls sold for between €160/head and €175/head.
Heifer calves
The offering of heifer calves was completely dominated by Angus-crosses. These females averaged €153/head, with the general price range settling between €90 and €210/head. Calf quality was the deciding factor here, rather than age.
Hereford-cross heifers averaged €161/head, with a rather small variance evident, as €135 to €195/head secured all but a handful.
Two Charolais-cross heifers made €301 and €310 each, while a group of Limousin-cross heifers averaged €163/head.
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