Most calf prices have doubled on 2025, with some doubling for the second spring in a row, according to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) calf price database.
Based on calves traded in marts for the second week of February 2026 Friesian bull calves aged between three and six weeks of age sold for an average of €288/head.
Their price for the same time in 2024 was €72/head, marking a quadrupling of price. Younger Friesian bull calves aged between 10 and 20 days of age aren’t far behind as they sold for an average of €244/head, almost five times their price of €51/head two years ago.
Three to six-week-old Angus-cross bull calves were making €487/head on average last week. This is double their price of €246/head for the same week in 2024.
Hereford-cross bulls averaged €524/head with Hereford-cross heifers selling for €463/head last week. In 2024 they sold for €322/head and €211/head respectively.
Mart managers and auctioneers have reported that farmers appear to be more active than usual at calf sales.
On Monday last, Portumna Mart manager Ciaran Clancy reported that almost all calves were bought by farmers at the Galway venue.
Further south, on the same day, Bandon Mart had 1,068 calves on offer, with 1,050 of those spring 2026-registered calves. Auctioneer Denis O’Donoghue noted that there have been more buyers out earlier than usual and prices are exceptional.
“We’re as good as caught for words on the trade at the moment,” he said, as he tried to explain the current demand.
“We’ve never seen a February like it. It’s been very dear the last few weeks and this week it was nearly dearer again. There’s some amount of customers out this year.”
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