The mart trade over the past few days has seen record calf prices continue as heavier forward-type cattle prices have eased at some mart sales as a result of recent declines in factory beef price offers.

At GVM Carrigallen Mart, Co. Leitrim on Saturday, June 14, calves made up to €1,050 for a Shorthorn heifer calf off a Friesian cow with a registered birth date of May 12, 2025.

May-born Friesian bull calves made up to €700 and speaking to Agriland after the sale, Carrigallen Mart manager Helen Kells said there was strong activity from both farmers and export customers for calves at the most recent sale, with exporters managing to secure the majority of these calves.

In Balla Mart, Co. Mayo on Saturday, June 14, 400-500kg heifers "were showing the knock-on effect of the factory cuts" with average prices below the €4/kg, according to mart manager Michael Nolan.

Average bullock prices remained strong with 300-400kg bullocks averaging €4.23/kg.

Store bullocks weighing from 400-500kg averaged €4.29/kg while heavier bullocks weighing over 500kg averaged €4.19/kg.

One of the top prices in the bullock sale went to a Charolais bullock weighing 925kg that made €3,930 or €4.25/kg for a farmer from Cloonmore – Tuam.

Some of the top bullock prices from the weekend sale at Balla Mart:

360kg Charolais bullock sold for €1,940 or €5.39/kg;
490kg Charolais bullock sold for €2,580 or €5.27/kg;
670kg Charolais bullock sold for €3,290 or €4.25/kg;
795kg Simmental bullock sold for €3,300 or €4.15/kg;
895kg Charolais bullock sold for €3,730 or €4.17/kg.

While the average price for 400-500kg store heifers dropped below €4/kg, lighter store heifers weighing from 300-400kg averaged €4.26/kg.

Heifers weighing from 400-500kg averaged €3.92/kg, while heavy heifers weighing over 500kg averaged €3.86/kg.

A 330kg Belgian Blue-cross breeding heifer sold for an impressive €4,150 or €12.58/kg.

The cows were described as "a good trade with a surprising amount of dry cows still coming out", and cows weighing over 500kg averaging €3.59/kg.

An eight-year-old Charolais cow with a bull calf at foot sold for €3,720.

Commenting on the weanling trade, the mart manager said: "There are great numbers of weanlings coming out - way more than normal for this time of year - and this week they were slightly up due the demand from export buyers."

The best price was paid for a 485kg March-2024-born Belgian Blue bull that made €3,600 or €7.52/kg.

Another March 2024 weanling bull weighing 335kg sold for €9.13/kg or €3,060.

Bull weanlings 200–350kg averaged 5.59/kg and bulls from 350-450kg averaged €5.08/kg with bulls weighing over 450kg averaging €5.10/kg.