Table: Average calf prices rising on a weekly basis
The average calf prices paid at marts in the week ending Sunday, April 13, has continued to increase, according to the latest Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) calf price data.
The saying "a rising tide lifts all boats" is particularly relevant to this year's calf trade, as the improved prices paid for beef cattle have filtered all the way down to the calf market.
The spring 2024 calf trade saw prices below €100 for calves fairly common at marts countrywide, but this year has seen significant uplift in calf prices with full clearances and high prices achieved for calves at mart sales around the country.
The top average calf price in the week ending Sunday, April 13, was paid for Belgian Blue-sired bull calves from three to six-weeks-of-age averaging €462/calf, with heifers of the same specification averaging €404/calf.
Belgian Blue-sired bull and heifer calves under three-weeks-of-age averaged €401 and €306/head respectively.
The table below details the average prices paid for Angus-sired bull and heifer calves in the week ending Sunday, April 13:
| Sire breed | Sex | Age | Number of calves | Average age (days) | Average price | Number with recorded weight | Average weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angus | M | <21 days | 280 | 17 | €306 | 128 | 53kg |
| 21-42 days | 2,071 | 30 | €373 | 1,067 | 60kg | ||
| F | <21 days | 206 | 17 | €241 | 82 | 49kg | |
| 21-42 days | 1,828 | 31 | €292 | 930 | 56kg |
Looking at Charolais-sired calves from three to six-weeks-of-age, bull and heifer calves averaged €408 and €341/head respectively.
Charolais-sired bull and heifer calves below three-weeks-of-age averaged €366 and €287/head respectively.
The table below details the average prices paid for Hereford-sired bull and heifer calves in the week ending Sunday, April 13:
| Sire breed | Sex | Age | Number of calves | Average age (days) | Average price | Number with recorded weight | Average weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hereford | M | <21 days | 250 | 18 | €329 | 90 | 54 |
| 21-42 days | 1,164 | 29 | €391 | 485 | 62 | ||
| F | <21 days | 201 | 17 | €269 | 71 | 53 | |
| 21-42 days | 1,118 | 30 | €301 | 434 | 59 |
Limousin-sired bull and heifer calves from 21-42-days-of-age averaged €431 and €354/head respectively, with Limousin-sired bull and heifer calves below 21-days-of-age averaging €404 and €314/head respectively.
Aubrac-sired bull and heifer calves from 21-42-days-of-age averaged €329 and €286/head respectively.
The table below details the average prices paid for Friesian bull calves in the week ending Sunday, April 13:
| Sire breed | Sex | Age | Number of calves | Average age (days) | Average price | Number with recorded weight | Average weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friesian | M | <21 days | 133 | 17 | €198 | 45 | 49kg |
| 21-42 days | 974 | 32 | €243 | 389 | 57kg |
Simmental-sired bull and heifer calves from three to six-weeks-of-age averaged €396 and €307/calf respectively, with Simmental-sired bull and heifer calves below three-weeks-of-age averaging €336 and €286/head respectively.
