Calf prices are double what they were at this time last year, according to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) calf price data base.

The average price of Angus-cross bull calves aged between three and six weeks was €642/head, while for the same age Hereford-crosses it was €667/head for the first week of December 2025.

For the corresponding week last year, the prices were €264/head and €297/head respectively.

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Friesians are currently averaging €316/head compared to €133/head last year.

Bandon Mart manager, Seán Dennehy recalls the trade hotting up 12 months ago.

“We saw Angus-cross bull calves make €475 here in early December last year and everyone thought that was crazy. They were back to €400 the following week and that was the limit for the domestic market then.

“Friesian bulls were €120 to €180 and the talk at the time was, that those were ridiculous prices.”

Only a handful of calves sold for under €220 at the two most recent calf sales in Bandon.

Angus- and Hereford-cross bull calves, close to or over 70kg, made from €530 to €810. Continental-cross calves made similar money for the most part with some pushing for €900.

Lighter traditional beef breed calves sold for upwards of €320, while heavier heifers of the same breeds traded for between €600 and €700.

Friesian bull calves from 50kg to 90kg have been making €230 to €390.