The average calf prices generally ease off as the year progresses and traditionally, there is more demand for early-born calves with reduced demand for the later-born calves.

The calf trade for this year has bucked that trend. The average price paid for calves in the week ending Sunday, April 6, has increased again, according to the latest Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) calf price data for dairy dam calves traded in marts.

The top average price last week was paid for Belgian Blue bull calves from 21-42-days-of-age averaging €415/head, according to the data. Heifer calves of the same specification averaged €363/head.

Sample calf prices from Carnaross Mart, Co. Meath on Monday, April 7:

Belgian Blue bull calves under 21-days-of-age averaged €349/head with the heifers averaging €296/head.

The table below details the average prices paid for Angus-sired calves in the week ending Sunday, April 6:

Charolais bull calves from 21-42-days-of-age averaged €385/head last week with heifers averaging €312/head.

Charolais-sired bull calves under 21-days-of-age averaged €311 with heifer calves under 21-days-of-age selling for an average price of €289/head.

The table below details the average prices paid for Hereford-sired calves in the week ending Sunday, April 6:

Limousin-sired calves also secured strong average sale prices last week with bull and heifer calves from 21-42-days-of-age averaging €389 and €321/head respectively.

Limousin-sired bull and heifer calves under 21-days-of-age averaged €340 and €270/head respectively last week, according to the data.

The table below details the average prices paid for Friesian bull calves in the week ending Sunday, March 30:

Simmental-sired bull and heifer calves from 21-42-days-of-age averaged €356/head with heifers averaging €325/head.

Bull and heifer calves sired by Simmental under 21-days-of-age averaged €334 and €281/head last week, according to the ICBF data.