With marts now in lockdown, dairy farmers have no option but to sell from farm to farm. With no bidding ongoing, it is important that you know what various types of calves are selling for.

Friesian bull calves are reducing in supply. In ICBF data shows that the average Friesian bull calf has seen prices ease week on week for the last few weeks. Last week they sold for €40/head on average. However, reports from mart managers and from MartBids data show that average prices strengthened slightly at the start of this week. The average Friesian bull on Monday and Tuesday was selling for €40/head to €50/head, with stronger three-week-old calves averaging around €50/head. Having that said, there are still a large proportion of Friesian bull calves selling from €320/head to €30/head; these are mainly lesser-quality two-week-old types. Exporters are still active for these and also are quite active for Angus bull calves.

Angus calves

Angus bull calves were selling from €130/head to €150/head on average earlier in the week, with better-quality aged calves making over €180/head. Young and lesser-quality two-week-old calves are selling from €110/head to €130/head. Angus heifers were not being met with as strong of demand as bulls, with farmer buyers and agents the main source of demand. These sold from €50/head for light-boned plain Angus heifers to €120/head at the top of the market for strong four-week-old heifer calves.

Hereford calves

Hereford calves are still the premium sellers, with greater demand and an easier sell for these. Hereford bulls around two weeks old are selling from €130/head to €140/head, with three-week-olds making from €160/head to €180/head. Three-week-old Hereford bulls are making from €170/heada to €220/head, with aged calves and three-quarter weaned calves making closer to €300/head.

Hereford heifers are selling from €80/head to €120/head for two- to three-week-old calves, while four-week-olds are making from €120/head to €140/head.

Limousin and Belgian Blue calves

Limousin calves are making from €150/head to €250/head depending on age and quality, while Belgian Blue calves are making from €200/head to €260/head. Heifers are making about €30/head less than bulls.