Mart managers are reporting that calf numbers are peaking and this increased supply is resulting in an easing of calf prices across the board, writes Tommy Moyles.
Cahir mart calf sale in Co Tipperary last Friday. Numbers were the same as the previous week with trade still holding very well. \ Odhran Ducie
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Large numbers of calves are on the move across the country and prices are easing as a result of the spike in supply.
Cahir Mart manager Brian Murphy said that the mart’s sale on Friday evening will be a good indication of whether calf numbers have peaked or not.
“We had 1,840 and 1,869 the week before so I’d say this is the peak. Friday night’s sale will tell a lot about where we are. It felt like the peak came fast.”
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He attributed the larger volumes of calves in early March to good weather during the early part of the 2025 breeding season and farmer demand really drove prices in the first 10 weeks of the year.
“Farmer customers were very active over the last few weeks. They were aiming for the early calf and trying to get them in for a deadline of St Patrick’s Day.”
That deadline saw higher than usual prices paid by farmers for early calves and, ICBF data shows prices might be falling.
Making up almost 90% of all calves traded, prices for Friesian bulls, Angus-and Hereford-crosses are down anywhere from €36/head to €66/head compared to last week. For calves aged between three and six weeks of age, Friesian bulls averaged €252/head, a drop of €60/head on last week while Angus- and Hereford-cross bulls the same age traded for €465/head and €504/head respectively.
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Large numbers of calves are on the move across the country and prices are easing as a result of the spike in supply.
Cahir Mart manager Brian Murphy said that the mart’s sale on Friday evening will be a good indication of whether calf numbers have peaked or not.
“We had 1,840 and 1,869 the week before so I’d say this is the peak. Friday night’s sale will tell a lot about where we are. It felt like the peak came fast.”
He attributed the larger volumes of calves in early March to good weather during the early part of the 2025 breeding season and farmer demand really drove prices in the first 10 weeks of the year.
“Farmer customers were very active over the last few weeks. They were aiming for the early calf and trying to get them in for a deadline of St Patrick’s Day.”
That deadline saw higher than usual prices paid by farmers for early calves and, ICBF data shows prices might be falling.
Making up almost 90% of all calves traded, prices for Friesian bulls, Angus-and Hereford-crosses are down anywhere from €36/head to €66/head compared to last week. For calves aged between three and six weeks of age, Friesian bulls averaged €252/head, a drop of €60/head on last week while Angus- and Hereford-cross bulls the same age traded for €465/head and €504/head respectively.
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