There were 260 calves on offer in Skibbereen this week and Friesian bull calves are proving to be in demand, with prices much stronger than February.

These calves made from €130 up to €180. Friesian heifers have become a much tougher sell in recent weeks and this is an unusual trend compared with recent years, said manager Tom McCarthy.

Angus and Hereford bull calves sold for €190 to €320, with heifer calves of these breeds trading at €10 below and prices ranging from €180 up to €310 a head. Continental cross calves were scarce and made up to €320.

The bullock ring started off with very high prices earlier and it tailed off slightly later in the sale. Tom put this down to the fact there was a lot of farmers out buying the amount of bullocks they required and leaving then. Yearling bullocks dominated, with over 280 bullocks and bull weanlings on offer. Outlier cattle and well-formed continentals were most sought after.

Sample prices.

  • Four Herefords, 251kg − €610, €2.39/kg
  • Three Charolais 375kg − €955, €2.55/kg
  • Two Limousins 357kg − €850, €2.38/kg
  • Five Charolais 421kg − €1090, €2.59/kg
  • Three Charolais 276kg − €730, €2.65/kg
  • There were fewer than 200 heifers available and these were mainly 12-month-old stock and continentals especially met with very strong demand from buyers.

  • Two Limousin 250kg − €660, €2.64/kg
  • One Charolais 325kg − €820, €2.52/kg
  • Two Limousin 295kg − €810, €2.75/kg
  • Sucklers were in the ascendency in the dry cow sale, dominating the entry of 80 cows. Prices were good but, as ever, well-fleshed and younger cows were very much in demand. Tom said cow numbers are holding along similar lines to last year, although he thought more would come out for sale with the change in brucellosis requirements but this never materialised.

    Sample prices

  • Friesian 650kg − €1,040, €1.60/kg
  • Friesian 675kg − €1,000, €1.48/kg
  • Limousin 760kg − €1,260, €1.66/kg
  • Simmental 740kg − €1,150, €1.55/kg
  • Limousin 605kg - €1,050, €1.74/kg
  • Aubrac 640kg − €1,100, €1.72/kg
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    Hive of activity at Skibbereen mart