Table: Lift in calf demand echoed in average price increase last week

By Breifne O'Brien

May 15, 2026 5:00 AM

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Mart managers around the country have been reporting a rise in demand for all types of calves over the past week, which is being reflected in the average prices paid for calves by category.

According to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) calf price database for dairy dam calves traded at marts in the week ending Sunday, May 10, average prices in several categories have seen an increase.

The highest price category was Charolais bull calves from 3-6 weeks-of-age. which saw prices average €606/head up from €588/head the previous week.

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, May 10:

Sire Breed	Sex	Age Range	Number of Calves	Average Age (days)	Average Price (€)	Number with Recorded Weight	Average Weight (kg)
Angus	M	<21 days	198	17	402	119	59
Angus	M	21-42 days	2,420	33	446	1,790	65
Angus	F	<21 days	158	18	285	103	57
Angus	F	21-42 days	2,183	33	310	1,644	62
Aubrac	M	<21 days	14	17	420	6	66
Aubrac	M	21-42 days	85	32	480	38	66
Aubrac	F	<21 days	4	17	180	1	55
Aubrac	F	21-42 days	60	33	343	14	66
Belgian Blue	M	<21 days	10	19	486	4	62
Belgian Blue	M	21-42 days	162	32	561	105	70
Belgian Blue	F	<21 days	9	18	396	4	58
Belgian Blue	F	21-42 days	152	33	510	90	71
Charolais	M	<21 days	5	17	379	3	50
Charolais	M	21-42 days	75	32	606	50	75
Charolais	F	<21 days	6	15	407	1	88
Charolais	F	21-42 days	53	33	480	44	71
Friesian	M	<21 days	53	18	287	43	56
Friesian	M	21-42 days	585	33	285	452	62
Friesian	F	<21 days	7	18	196	6	46
Friesian	F	21-42 days	97	33	240	76	55
Hereford	M	<21 days	76	17	470	42	65
Hereford	M	21-42 days	1,137	32	485	796	69
Hereford	F	<21 days	95	17	325	53	63
Hereford	F	21-42 days	1,049	32	344	738	65
Limousin	M	<21 days	16	17	439	8	57
Limousin	M	21-42 days	142	33	532	77	68
Limousin	F	<21 days	6	19	423	3	53
Limousin	F	21-42 days	169	33	379	87	63
Salers	M	<21 days	0	0	0	0	0
Salers	M	21-42 days	3	38	530	2	83
Salers	F	<21 days	0	0	0	0	0
Salers	F	21-42 days	4	38	381	4	67
Simmental	M	<21 days	14	16	440	8	67
Simmental	M	21-42 days	70	32	502	42	72
Simmental	F	<21 days	11	15	252	8	55
Simmental	F	21-42 days	38	32	408	24	67
Other Beef Breeds	M	<21 days	12	18	379	5	54
Other Beef Breeds	M	21-42 days	65	31	395	41	68
Other Beef Breeds	F	<21 days	12	18	328	8	49
Other Beef Breeds	F	21-42 days	60	32	351	41	60

Source: ICBF

Belgian Blue and Limousin-sired bull calves from 3-6 weeks-of-age both averaged €550/head.

Angus bull calves from 3-6 weeks-of-age averaged €446/head, while Hereford bull calves of the same age range averaged €485/head last week.

After a slow start to the year, calf export numbers have picked up, with increased demand from calf exporters seen at several marts over the past week.

Calf prices started the year at record highs before easing off as peak calf sale season progressed, but prices have been on the rise again in recent weeks.

Farmer buyers are also remaining active for both young calves and reared calves at marts countrywide, with farmers particularly active for reared calves at the most recent calf sale at Gortatlea Mart in Co. Kerry.

The numbers of calves coming out to weekly sales are still remaining relatively large, with sale numbers at the Monday sale at Gortatlea Mart up 20% on the same time last year.

The numbers of calves on sale at marts are expected to tail off further over the coming weeks as the spring calving season draws near a close on dairy farms across the country.

There is much talk amongst calf buyers that higher numbers of reared, weaned calves will come on sale over the coming weeks but it remains to be seen if this trend materialises.