Average calf prices have been performing strongly to date this year but have started to reduce for the second half of March, according to calf price data from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).

In the week ending Sunday, March 23, the average price paid for Hereford bull calves under 21 days-of-age was €276/head - down €50/calf on the average price of €326/head in the previous week.

The average price paid for Angus bull calves under 21 days-of-age fell €10/head last week to €251/head, while the average price paid for Friesian bull calves also fell €10/head to €136/head in the week ending Sunday, March 23.

The table below details the average prices paid for Angus calves in the week ending Sunday, March 23:

The highest average calf price last week was paid for Limousin bull calves, according to the ICBF data.

Limousin bull calves under 21 days-of-age averaged €344 with heifer calves of the same age range averaging €276/head last week.

It is important to note that the Limousin calf price data only takes into account prices paid for 78 bull calves sand 59 heifer calves.

The table below details the average prices paid for Hereford calves in the week ending Sunday, March 23:

Charolais and Belgian Blue sired calves took the second and third highest average calf prices last week respectively.

Charolais bull and heifer calves under 21 days-of-age made an average of €326 and €276/head respectively with price data for 81 bull calves and 72 heifer calves.

Belgian Blue-sired bull and heifer calves under 21 days-of-age made an average of €289 and €251/head respectively with price data for 145 bull calves and 109 heifer calves.

The table below details the average prices paid for Friesian bull calves in the week ending Sunday, March 23:

As the table above indicates, Friesian bull calves from 21-42 days-of-age made an average price of €156 with bull calves under 21 days-of-age selling for an average price of €136/head.