Bull calves’ prices drop
Prices for bull calves have come back by up to €200/head as the first of the calves born into the new support environment without premia payments based on headage are being offered in the sales rings. Bull calves with registered births on or after June 1st 2004 are selling at €60/head to €200/head less than those which have birth registrations up to May 31st 2004, with the former the first calves with no premia entitlements.
The drop in prices for calves may include a seasonal adjustment of €10-€20/head less, but in many sales more than €100/head has been knocked off to take the change over into account. Friesian bull calves sold at €160-€290/head at Kanturk Mart yesterday compared to €200-€415/head last week. The top price for continental bulls was back from €520 last week to €420, while Hereford bulls were similar or slightly dearer at yesterday's sale.
At Fermoy Mart yesterday the Continental bull calves sold at €180-€320/head compared to €240-€490/head last week, the top price for Hereford bulls was €65/head and Friesian bulls peaked at €75/head less. At Kilmallock Mart this week June born bull calves were back €100-€120/head from those born up to May 31. At Bandon Mart June born Friesian bulls were back €80-€135/head, Hereford bulls dropping by €100-€220/head and Continental bulls back €130-€200/head.
The nine and 21 month SBP, plus extensification and slaughter/export premia was worth up to €540 over the life of male animals and this week's sales are the first indication of the readjustment by purchasers to account for the change over to the EU Single Payment on Jan 1, 2005.
