Herefords sold to a top price of €6,100 and an average of €3,600 at the Society’s Premier spring Show & Sale at Tullamore well surpassing the average at the recent sale at Kilkenny where demand outstripped supply.

Increased demand for Hereford bulls is clearly indicated by reports from breeders across the country that they are selling bulls earlier than in previous years and that many Hereford bulls have already been purchased on farm. This was apparent in Tullamore where ten of the twelve absentees were already sold in advance of the sale. Breeders are therefore understandably upping their expectations achieving their targets and in many instances surpassing them.

This was the situation at Tullamore where average prices increased by €500 on the same event in 2014. There is no doubt a number of buyers from Northern Ireland attending the sale influenced the overall outcome. The day’s top price of €6,100 was however paid by well-known Cavan Hereford breeder Sean McKiernan of Corlismore who has already sold sixteen Hereford bulls on farm this spring. His selection was the Reserve Champion Moyclare Mariner a November born son of Brocca Saviour from the herd of Michael Molloy Belmont, Co Offaly who also exhibited the Reserve Champion at last year’s event which sold to Dovea AI. This is a classic combination of some very successful Australian bloodlines imported through the Society’s Breed Improvement scheme in recent years. The sire Brocca Saviour is currently the number one bull for terminal traits on the ICBF evaluations; he is a son of the very successful Bowmont Storm A584. The dam of Mariner is Moyclare Dora a daughter of Yarram Pompeii V055.

Moyclare Lunar a first prize-winner and half-brother from the same stable out of Moyclare Pansy3rd by Skehanore Henry sold at €4,700 to Mervyn Hamilton, Castlederg, Co Tyrone. Mr Molloy was well pleased with the outcome heading home with a sale average of €5,400.

The Champion Knockmountagh Master a Grianan Firecracker son was exhibited by Eamon & John McKiernan, Monasterboice, Co Louth. The father and son partnership are no strangers to the top honours having scooped the Championship at the National Calf show in November last with this young bull. Northern Ireland Hereford breeder David Wilson of Maheraveley, Co Fermanagh was quickly off the mark as soon as this Knockmountagh Carmel son entered the ring finally securing him with a bid of €4,900.

Knockmountagh Bruno a first prize-winner  also exhibited by Eamon & John McKiernan this time sired by Bowmont Vancouver another sire whose semen has been imported by the Society sold at €4,000 to William, Fleury, Killyon, Birr. This young bull’s dam Knockmountagh Aoife is a very good breeding cow sired by the very successful Churchill Storm V583. Vancouver progeny have been coming to prominence of late since semen of Bowmont Storm has become unavailable.

Willie Kennedy, Ballyforan, Co Roscommon on his first day out at Tullamore was extremely happy to part with his eighteen month old Feevaghmorepoll 1 Governor a Gouldingpoll 1 Superduty son at €4,650. He sold to Mervyn Hamilton of Castlederg who had already purchased Moyclare Lunar at €4,700. This bull is out of a cow Aliehs Annette purchased by Mr Kennedy from Timmy & Sheila O’Sullivan, Brosna, Tralee, Co Kerry.

Kye Hector 645 exhibited by Padraig McGrath, Kye, Elphin is by Free Town Hotspur and out of Kye Sheila 564 a Bowmont Storm A584 daughter. He was purchased by Damien Mulleady, Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe, at €4,500. The sire Free Town Hotspur is a UK imported stockbull jointly owned by Padraig McGrath and JJ Farrell, Trillick, Co Longford.

Co Monaghan breeder Cathal Flynn, Tullyard, Monaghan accepted a final bid of €3,750 from Brian Stanley, Erill, Portlaois for his yearling bull Rossmore Kestrel. A Grianan King Kong son he is out of Rossmore Blossom by Ballyaville Nelson.

Grianan Neon from Tom & Anselm Fitzgerald a five star bull by Grianan Highflyer ET was purchased by Marcus Neylon, Darragh, Ennis, Co Clare at €3,700. Its dam Grianan Orange K581 is out of his award winning dam Grianan Dominique and is a Bowmont Storm A584 daughter.

It is perhaps worth noting that just three bulls went to pedigree breeders with the balance purchased by dairy and suckler producers. Hereford cross calf and store cattle prices are buoyant currently while demand for quality assured stock fitting the requirements of processors and retailers for the Hereford branded beef outlets continues to grow week on week. These appear to be the main drivers of demand while some marts suggest many store heifers and heifer calves are destined for the suckler beef herd as replacements in recognition of the dependability of the Hereford cross cow in terms of fertility, docility, milk and fertility.

Overall the average at €3,600 was very satisfactory with a range from €2,000 to €6,100 and a clearance of 66%. The Society’s next sale is at Nenagh on Saturday April18th with one the following week at Kilmallock on Friday April 24^th.