Just shy of 220 calves were traded in Kilkenny Mart on Tuesday as the mart continues to implement a revised trading format in line with COVID-19 restrictions. Given the nature of the restrictions, it is a strong number to be moving in one day.

Tuesday’s offering consisted of 130 male calves and almost 90 female calves and these were met with a 100% clearance. The majority of the calves on offer were in excess of three weeks old.

By breed, one-third of the bull calves were Friesians, while Angus-crosses and Hereford-crosses accounted for another 32% and 20% respectively.

Looking at the trends in prices compared with last week, Angus-cross bulls were up €5 to €10/head, Friesian bulls held constant and Hereford-cross bulls fell by around €10/head.

Prices

Friesian bull calves averaged €80/head, with first-rate, stronger Friesians ranging between €100/head and €130/head typically, and second-rate, less-advanced Friesian bulls trading between €30/head and €70/head mainly.

Angus-cross bull calves averaged €169/head, with a typical range of €130 to €210/head depending on strength and quality.

Hereford-cross bulls saw a fine trade and averaged €213/head, while a typical range was roughly €170 to €260/head.

Continental bull calves were not plentiful, but that served to heighten demand.

Two Belgian Blue-crosses sold for €310 each, while three nice Charolais-crosses fell between €310/head and €400/head.

Ten Limousin-cross bulls sold for between €160/head and €175/head.

Heifer calves

The offering of heifer calves was completely dominated by Angus-crosses. These females averaged €153/head, with the general price range settling between €90 and €210/head. Calf quality was the deciding factor here, rather than age.

Hereford-cross heifers averaged €161/head, with a rather small variance evident, as €135 to €195/head secured all but a handful.

Two Charolais-cross heifers made €301 and €310 each, while a group of Limousin-cross heifers averaged €163/head.