Enniscorthy Mart held its weekly calf sale on Wednesday (August 3), with 75 calves on offer at the Co. Wexford-based mart.

During the summer months the calf trade tends to slow down, but in general it has been a good year, with strong beef prices having a role in this.

To get some insight in the current trade, Agriland spoke to Enniscorthy Mart manager Kevin Murphy.

"We had 75 calves on offer in 60 lots, with a stronger trade this week," he said.

"The sale was mostly made up of strong or reared calves, but the quality on offer was mixed, with some great reared calves on offer as well as some poorer-quality calves."

Continental calves at the sale ranged from €180 for a light Limousin bull calf, up to a top price of €555 for a reared Aubrac-cross bull calf.

The heifer calves sold from €200, to €350 for the stronger-type calves.

Some sample continental calf prices:

The Angus and Hereford calves sold anywhere from €140 for lighter-type calves, up to €450 for a reared Angus-cross bull.

Some sample Hereford and Angus calf prices:

Friesians, according to Kevin, were scarce on the day.

Commenting on the prices achieved in this section of the sale, Kevin said: "The plainer lots are being bought by the exporters, with light Friesians selling from €50 up to €140.

"The reared Friesians made from €160 up to a top price of €260."

Some sample Friesian calf prices:

Commenting on the trade further, Kevin said: "Overall, a big sale for the time of the year and a great trade as exporters compete to fill orders."