The spring 2025 calf sale season has kicked off and larger numbers of calves are arriving at mart sales on a weekly basis.

Demand remains good for all types of calves, with calves weighing over the 60kg mark managing to fetch the premium prices at marts nationwide.

Sample calf prices from the sale at Carnaross Mart, Co. Meath on Monday, February 10:

Bandon Mart in Co. Cork hosted its calf sale on Monday, February 10, with 565 calves shown on the day.

As well as the selection of calves, there was also a number of heavier-type dairy-beef weanlings (runners) on offer with up to €890/head achieved for three Angus-cross bulls with an average weight of 258kg.

Calf prices from the Monday sale at Bandon:

64kg Hereford-cross bull calf sold at €470;
70kg Aubrac-cross bull calf sold at €495;
66kg Hereford-cross bull calf sold at €460;
81kg Friesian bull calf sold at €415;
80kg Limousin heifer calf sold at €690;
71kg Simmental heifer calf sold at €540;
82kg Belgian Blue heifer calf sold for €560.

Castleisland Mart in Co. Kerry saw record prices prices at its Monday sale with over €3.80/kg paid in some cases for dairy-beef cattle in the 280-300kg weight bracket.

In Cahir Mart, Co. Tipperary on Friday, February 7, a pen of seven Angus-cross bulls weighing 115kg each sold for €520/head or €4.52/kg.

Another group of four Shorthorn bulls with an average weight of 69kg sold for €350/head. Two Friesian bulls weighing 47kg each sold for €110/head while two lighter Friesian bulls weighing 42kg each made €70/head.

A group of four Jersey-cross and Norwegian Red bull calves with an average weight of 50kg sold for €50/head.

Stay tuned to Agriland for further updates on calf prices.