Strong Demand for Dairy Calves and Heifers as Prices Surge
The dairy trade continues to show strength across various marts this week, with spring calving underway. Notable sales include Friesian bull calves at Dungarvan Mart, Co. Waterford, where two-month-old calves weighing 67kg sold for €530 each. This price is a significant increase from the previous year when similar calves sold for €200 each.
Additionally, at the same mart, 17-day-old male Friesian cross calves weighing 50kg were auctioned for €360 each, and 20-day-old Friesian cross bulls weighing 47kg fetched €310 each. The lowest price recorded was €120 for a 16-day-old 20kg Friesian cross bull.
Listowel Mart also reported strong sales, with Friesian bulls just over 40kg selling for €190-€195 each. Aberdeen Angus calves weighing over 50kg were sold for over €400 each, and a standout sale included a month-old Angus calf weighing 70kg that went for €540.
At Waterford Ross Mart in New Ross, Co. Wexford, a production sale featured 40 freshly calved pedigree registered Holstein Friesian heifers. The top price of the day was €3,125 for a three-year-old cow with a projected yield of 9,132kg, while the average price was €2,370.
This trading activity highlights the consistent demand for quality dairy stock, amidst challenges such as fluctuating milk prices and health issues like bluetongue.
