Beef breed bull calves in demand
Department of Agriculture prices show that beef breed calves are selling at prices similar to the same week last year, despite the change in direct payments effective from January 1 last.
The average for beef breed bull calves at the department reference marts at Bandon and Blessington this week was €295/head and for the same week last year the average was €297/head. In contrast to the beef breeds, dairy breed bull calves - which would largely comprise Friesian - are down by 30%, underlining the weakening of interest in the poor grading animals for beef. The average paid for the beef breed bull calves this week was €124/head. For the same week last year, they averaged €171/head. There was 155 head on offer at Bandon Mart this week, similar to the previous week. The continental breed calves were a very good trade, with some examples showing a considerable improvement on the previous sale. Friesian bulls are continuing to sell at unchanged prices which remain lower than last year, but the Friesian heifer is in demand.
