Table: Latest official weekly average calf sale price data

By Breifne O'Brien

April 25, 2026 12:00 PM

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Weekly average calf prices are trending below the average prices for the year to date, according to the latest figures from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).

2026 started with strong average calf prices across the board, which declined from peak calf sale season onwards.

In 2025, calf prices increased as the year progressed, which was unusual as the general trend is for prices to ease into April and May with a premium generally paid for early-born calves.

The table below details the average calf price paid by age, sex, and sire breed for calves bred from dairy cows in the week ending Sunday, April 19:

Sire Breed	Sex	Age Range	Number of Calves	Average Age (days)	Average Price (€)	Number with Recorded Weight	Average Weight (kg)
Angus	M	<21 days	244	18	322	152	57
Angus	M	21-42 days	3,302	32	402	2371	63
Angus	F	<21 days	220	18	228	117	54
Angus	F	21-42 days	2,973	32	272	2,106	60
Aubrac	M	<21 days	6	19	338	1	50
Aubrac	M	21-42 days	113	31	393	31	64
Aubrac	F	<21 days	2	17	275	0	0
Aubrac	F	21-42 days	105	32	306	38	62
Belgian Blue	M	<21 days	26	18	477	12	70
Belgian Blue	M	21-42 days	463	33	505	234	68
Belgian Blue	F	<21 days	15	17	411	6	70
Belgian Blue	F	21-42 days	460	33	440	214	65
Charolais	M	<21 days	17	17	607	7	77
Charolais	M	21-42 days	149	32	530	110	69
Charolais	F	<21 days	14	18	374	8	64
Charolais	F	21-42 days	135	30	446	93	66
Friesian	M	<21 days	80	18	244	45	57
Friesian	M	21-42 days	1,481	33	276	987	62
Friesian	F	<21 days	2	17	220	1	55
Friesian	F	21-42 days	118	33	237	95	55
Hereford	M	<21 days	165	18	388	93	59
Hereford	M	21-42 days	1,618	31	433	969	66
Hereford	F	<21 days	142	17	269	70	56
Hereford	F	21-42 days	1,458	32	310	937	62
Limousin	M	<21 days	28	17	473	14	65
Limousin	M	21-42 days	252	32	512	117	73
Limousin	F	<21 days	25	17	381	11	64
Limousin	F	21-42 days	225	33	403	97	67
Salers	M	<21 days	0	0	0	0	0
Salers	M	21-42 days	11	32	351	6	63
Salers	F	<21 days	0	0	0	0	0
Salers	F	21-42 days	13	31	287	11	59
Simmental	M	<21 days	4	18	338	0	0
Simmental	M	21-42 days	136	32	484	107	71
Simmental	F	<21 days	2	15	285	1	50
Simmental	F	21-42 days	65	33	407	44	71
Other Beef Breeds	M	<21 days	16	17	332	9	58
Other Beef Breeds	M	21-42 days	111	31	340	73	62
Other Beef Breeds	F	<21 days	6	19	280	3	54
Other Beef Breeds	F	21-42 days	68	33	306	47	59

Source: ICBF

In the week ending Sunday, April 19, the average price paid for Angus bull calves from 3-6 weeks-of-age was €402/head.

The average price for Angus bull calves of this age range traded to date this year is €452/head.

The average price paid for 3-6 week-old Hereford bull calves in the week ending Sunday, April 19, was €433/head. Their average sale price to date this year was €484/head.

2026 calf export numbers are down 17% on last year with 95,500 calves exported in the first 15 weeks of 2026.

The loss of the Polish market this year due to bluetongue trading requirements and the 22% decline in Irish calf exports to Spain are two of the main attributing factors to the 2026 decline.

Despite this, the 2026 and 2025 calf trade has transformed compared to previous years, with much more demand and positivity being seen in the market.

This has had a positive impact on the type of calves being presented for sale, with more marts noticing slightly older, heavier calves being brought out this year.