Quality the key for runner calves

The number of spring-born bucket-fed calves on sale in the past month has increased substantially, particularly in the south of the country.

The best prices are being paid for good-quality light continental calves, which are making from €400 to €500 in the main.

Farmer buyers seem to be the main buyer who are opting to buy these light calves for only marginally less than light sucker-bred types.

Angus and Hereford running calves are said to be making from €300/head to €450/head. Again, quality and weight for age are the main drivers of prices.

Those farmers who are buying are actively sourcing the better-quality calves which will meet the carcase grade specifications for the premium markets. Lesser-quality and plainer types are a slower sell, with sellers being left with little to no margin when calf purchase prices and rearing costs are factored in.

The number of Friesian runner calves on offer is quite strong in the south also, with only few on offer in the midlands and west. Demand is steady, but plainer types are feeling the pinch in terms of prices. Where late spring-born calves are on offer, prices are ranging from €200 to €300/head for the average-quality type. Again, quality is having a major influence on prices with these calves also. The main supply of these calves in the south are dairy farmers who kept the calves at grass for the summer and are now offloading for cashflow and housing reasons.

In-calf cows steady

Demand for in-calf suckler cows remains steady. Where top-quality springer cows are on offer, prices of €1,600 and over are being achieved, but demand for plainer and lighter in-calf cows and heifers is not quite as strong and prices of €1,250 to €1,400 are more common.

Mart managers have commented that farmers are tending to source better-quality types that are four or five stars on the replacement index and that the combination of quality and stars is beneficial.

In terms of high-quality maiden heifers, those that are showing signs of milk, are of high quality and have stars are being met with the strongest demand.