Table: Average calf prices paid by age, weight and breed for last week

By Breifne O'Brien

March 22, 2026 6:00 AM

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Calf prices have seen a decline in several categories in the week ending Sunday, March 15, according to latest figures from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) calf price database.

The 2026 calf trade started out with record prices being paid across the board for calves.

While demand still remains strong, the average prices being paid have declined as larger numbers of calves come available for sale.

The average price paid for Friesian bull calves under 21 days-of-age was €221 in the week ending Sunday, March 15. This average price is down from €282 in the previous week, a decline of €61/head.

The table below gives an overview of the ICBF calf price database for the week ending Sunday, March 15:

Sire Breed	Sex	Age Range	Number of Calves	Average Age (days)	Average Price (€)	Number with Recorded Weight	Average Weight (kg)
Angus	M	<21 days	819	17	412	493	55
Angus	M	21-42 days	2,482	28	465	1,581	62
Angus	F	<21 days	640	18	332	402	52
Angus	F	21-42 days	2,527	28	374	1,608	58
Aubrac	M	<21 days	17	16	357	8	56
Aubrac	M	21-42 days	31	29	486	9	62
Aubrac	F	<21 days	10	18	329	3	43
Aubrac	F	21-42 days	50	28	377	11	55
Belgian Blue	M	<21 days	185	18	473	74	58
Belgian Blue	M	21-42 days	610	28	565	285	66
Belgian Blue	F	<21 days	139	18	419	56	55
Belgian Blue	F	21-42 days	584	28	489	296	62
Charolais	M	<21 days	80	18	503	40	59
Charolais	M	21-42 days	220	26	589	110	66
Charolais	F	<21 days	50	18	443	22	59
Charolais	F	21-42 days	188	29	510	93	65
Friesian	M	<21 days	1,177	18	221	722	53
Friesian	M	21-42 days	5,653	29	252	3,799	58
Friesian	F	<21 days	23	18	294	7	56
Friesian	F	21-42 days	187	31	298	125	53
Hereford	M	<21 days	375	18	441	178	59
Hereford	M	21-42 days	1,002	27	510	545	64
Hereford	F	<21 days	401	17	352	181	54
Hereford	F	21-42 days	1,014	28	403	504	60
Limousin	M	<21 days	73	17	506	21	57
Limousin	M	21-42 days	200	28	546	73	65
Limousin	F	<21 days	71	17	433	27	59
Limousin	F	21-42 days	163	27	441	63	62
Salers	M	<21 days	1	17	400	0	0
Salers	M	21-42 days	7	24	362	4	51
Salers	F	<21 days	0	0	0	0	0
Salers	F	21-42 days	5	26	407	2	69
Simmental	M	<21 days	49	17	471	24	61
Simmental	M	21-42 days	153	28	517	105	71
Simmental	F	<21 days	19	18	474	9	64
Simmental	F	21-42 days	79	28	495	62	67
Other Beef Breeds	M	<21 days	26	18	379	12	62
Other Beef Breeds	M	21-42 days	89	28	405	47	62
Other Beef Breeds	F	<21 days	9	16	338	2	51
Other Beef Breeds	F	21-42 days	71	29	380	37	56

Source: ICBF

Angus bull calves under 21 days-of-age averaged €412/head last week, down from €463/head in the previous week.

Calf prices 'not adding up'

The drop-off in calf prices last week comes as one of the country's leading buyers of calves voiced concerns this week on the high prices being paid for calves this year.

Founder of Wicklow Calf Company, Seamus Scallan, said that farmers killing cattle at the factory at the moment "are losing €300-€400/head on them" in some cases.

He noted that factory beef price offers are in decline and said that he believes Irish base price for beef "is heading towards €6.50/kg".

He added: "When you look at what's happening in the current trade, things are just not adding up."

While calf prices have declined, the 2026 calf trade remains much more positive than had been seen in recent years and average calf prices to date this year remain at record levels.