The past few weeks has seen an increase in the supply of Friesian bull calves on offer across the country. In marts, there has been slightly reduced demand and prices have weakened slightly.

Where Friesian bulls are on offer, prices of €90 to €100 are common, with the average young calf making from €80 to €95. Better-quality types are making from €100 to €105.

Numbers traded through the marts remain small, with a good share of buyers sourcing straight from farms. Where Angus bull and heifer calves are on offer, the price has eased slightly in some areas also.

The average Angus bull is making from €215 for light types to €290/head for three- to four-week-old calves. Heifers are making from €190/head for young light types to €260/head for better-made older types. With supply low, the lower prices are starting to set a trend for reduced prices as we move into winter and early spring.

Dairy cow price firm

Dairy sales are reporting slightly increased demand, but mainly for calved cows which remain in tight supply. Some sales have reported a good increase in prices for choice and well-bred lots, while in the main, spring-calving heifers have been a steady trade. High EBI heifers, calving from February on, are selling from €1,000 to €1,200 in many areas where larger groups are on offer. Well-bred heifers in small numbers are making up to €1,400.

Lighter in-calf heifers are a mixed trade and are being met with variable demand and in some cases are struggling to sell for over €1,000. Farm to farm movements remain reasonably slow, but higher EBI and those with good constituents are the best trade.

In-calf continentals firm

Despite large numbers of in-calf continental cows on offer in recent months, demand and prices are holding firm. Where strong in-calf heifers are on offer, prices of €1,300 to €1,600 are common, with some choice lots making over €1,800. Where large numbers are on offer, demand is less than required and clearance rates are a little lower. Likewise, where heifers are overly beefy and showing no milk or where lighter types are on offer which will calve down at two years of age, demand is weak also. Cows with calves at foot are a firm trade and prices of €1,200 for older types to €1,800 for those with aged calves at foot are common.

Cattle prices: farmer activity firm but quality dropping at marts

Friesian bull calf prices weaken as supply increases

The past few weeks has seen an increase in the supply of Friesian bull calves on offer across the country. In marts, there has been slightly reduced demand seen and prices have weakened slightly.