Table: Guide prices for Angus, Hereford, and Friesian calves
Calf prices have started off at an impressively high level in line with the record-high prices currently being seen in the beef trade. While average cattle prices are continuing to rise on a weekly basis, the average calf price has fallen for the past three weeks.
The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) makes available calf price data for dairy-bred (dairy dam) calves traded in marts. This data is updated on a weekly basis.
Farmers can view the average prices paid for calves by age, sex, and sire breed on a weekly basis and also the overall average prices paid to date this year.
The table below details the average price paid for Angus-sired calves by sex and age in the week ending Sunday, February 23:
| Sire breed | Sex | Age range | Number of calves | Average age (days) | Average price (€) | Number with recorded weight | Average weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angus | M | <21 days | 402 | 17 | 240 | 199 | 53 |
| 21-42 days | 329 | 26 | 283 | 180 | 61 | ||
| F | <21 days | 359 | 17 | 186 | 194 | 52 | |
| 21-42 days | 347 | 26 | 222 | 201 | 59 |
As the table above indicates, the average price paid for Angus bull calves under 21 days of age last week was €240/head and €283/head for calves from 21-42 days.
The average price paid for Angus heifer calves under 21 days of age last week was €186/head with Angus heifer calves from 21-42 days making €222/head.
The table below details the average price paid for Hereford-sired calves by sex and age in the week ending Sunday, February 23:
| Sire breed | Sex | Age range | Number of calves | Average age (days) | Average price (€) | Number with recorded weight | Average weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hereford | M | <21 days | 214 | 16 | 260 | 91 | 57 |
| 21-42 days | 161 | 25 | 294 | 91 | 61 | ||
| F | <21 days | 166 | 16 | 206 | 67 | 55 | |
| 21-42 days | 132 | 26 | 243 | 70 | 57 |
Hereford-sired bull calves under 21 days of age made an average price of €260/head and Hereford bull calves from 21-42 days of age made €294/head on average last week.
Hereford heifers under 21 days old sold for an average of €206/head with prices for older ones averaging €243/head.
The table below details the average price paid for Friesian calves by sex and age in the week ending Sunday, February 23:
| Sire breed | Sex | Age range | Number of calves | Average age (days) | Average price (€) | Number with recorded weight | Average weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friesian | M | <21 days | 949 | 17 | 106 | 470 | 51 |
| 21-42 days | 966 | 26 | 132 | 612 | 57 | ||
| F | <21 days | 7 | 16 | 69 | 4 | 56 | |
| 21-42 days | 17 | 28 | 110 | 9 | 50 |
Friesian bull calves under 21 days averaged €106/head last week with the older Friesian bull calves making €132/head.
Calf prices generally tend to start off strong and decline as the year progresses and larger volumes of calves come available for sale.
As well as the increased supply impacting trade, many farmers prefer earlier-born calves as their overall live weight gain during their first season at grass generally tends to be higher than later-born calves.
