Angus- and Hereford-sired calves made up 80% of the calves traded this week, according to the ICBF calf price watch database.

After a €22/head reduction last week, prices have continued to ease this week, back on average €12/head.

This sees Angus and Hereford heifers average €127 and €152 respectively, while bulls of the same breeds were making €177 and €195 on average over the last seven days.

The biggest price reductions are being seen for the two- to three-week-old calf, with farmer buyers remaining more keen for calves with a bit of age.

Just a handful of Friesian bulls continue to be traded.

The average price for a one-month-old calf was €86 this week, back €13 on the previous week.

With small numbers of continental calves being traded, prices are quite variable, depending on the quality of the calf offered for sale. Limousin heifers averaged €214 this week, while bulls made €240.

Overall, the number of calves traded this week was back 14% on the previous seven days or just 30% of what it was at peak trade in the first half of March.