There was a surge in calf numbers over the last week, with almost every category experiencing a softening in price. Prices for over 14,000 calves are available on the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation’s database.

Included was information from the sale of 5,998 Friesian bull calves at marts last week.

Those aged between three and six weeks of age were back €16/head on last week to an average of €272/head, significantly ahead of the €143/head they sold for 12 months ago.

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Prices for younger Friesian bulls aged between 10 and 20 days old were relatively stable, back €1/head on last week to €245/head.

Almost all categories of beef-cross calves had a dip in price. Angus-cross bulls aged three to six weeks of age were back €55/head to €504/head. Hereford-cross bulls the same age traded for €541/head.

Data from Bord Bia shows that at 2,507 head, the number of calves shipped from the State in the first eight weeks of the year is significantly behind normal levels.

While weather has set trade to the continent back, restrictions on cross border trade due to bluetongue is a concern, especially among marts close to the border. Ballyjamesduff Mart manager, mart manager John Tevlin said: “There is an absence of northern buyers due to bluetongue restrictions. It’s alright while sales are smaller, but farmers’ calve cows that bit later up this way and we anticipate numbers are expected to ramp up over the coming weeks. We’d like to get these back around the ring.”