Waterford Ross Mart: Strong trade despite sailing disruptions

All images: Waterford Ross Mart
All images: Waterford Ross Mart

Waterford Ross Mart held its weekly calf sale on Saturday (March 11) with 820 calves on offer at the New Ross-based mart.

The calf trade towards the tail end of last week was hampered by the loss of the calf exports, with livestock not taken due to the weather at sea.

This was the first time in 2023 that sailings had been hampered with and this lack of outlet for calves appears to have weakened the trade somewhat.

Speaking to Agriland, Richard Kirwan, manager at Waterford Ross Mart, said there was actually a slight improvement in the trade compared to the previous week.

"There was a very strong demand for shipping calves," he said

The Friesian bull calves on offer at Waterford Ross on Saturday made from €20 to a top price of €200.

The shipping-type Friesian bulls sold from €20-70, with the stronger-type Friesian bulls selling from €80 to a top price of €200.

Some sample prices can be found in the gallery below:

This three-week-old Friesian bull sold for €150
This three-week-old Friesian bull sold for €150

With the Hereford and Angus calves on offer at Saturday's sale, the bull calves sold from €100 to a top price of €380.

Some sample prices can be found in the gallery below:

This four-week-old Angus bull sold for €330
This four-week-old Angus bull sold for €330

The Hereford and Angus heifers on offer at the sale ranged from €50-270.

Some sample prices from the Hereford and Angus heifer calves can be found in the gallery below:

This two-week-old Angus heifer sold for €295
This two-week-old Angus heifer sold for €295

Looking at the Continental-type calves, starting with the bull calves, they sold from €130 to a top call of €400.

Some sample prices of the Continental bulls can be found in the gallery below:

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This four-week-old Speckle Park bull sold for €240
This four-week-old Speckle Park bull sold for €240

Lastly, prices for the Continental heifers at the sale ranged from €100 to a top call of €365.

Some sample prices of the Continental heifers can be found in the gallery below:

This three-week-old Belgian Blue heifer sold for €295
This three-week-old Belgian Blue heifer sold for €295

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