Demand for Hereford bulls outstripped supply at the Irish Hereford Breed Society’s autumn Show at Sale held at GVM Kilmallock on Friday. Just two bulls forward failed to meet their reserve while a number of prospective customers went home disappointed in not having secured a sire.

The Championship was awarded to the well-known Michael O’Keeffe, Gurteragh, Newmarket with his Gurteragh Obama a son of herd-sire Corlismore Robinhood out of Gurteragh Holly a Border General V85 daughter. The new owner Sean G Hunt, Athea, Co Limerick secured the champion with a bid of €3,300.

It was however a herd sibling Gurteragh Superking 607 sired by the Munster Hereford bull of the year Gurteragh Justice and out of Gurteragh Jolly ET that secured the top price of the day at €3,400. The purchaser Paddy Brophy travelled from Windgap, Co Kilkenny to make his purchase. This was a very satisfactory day out for the Newmarket breeder who held a most successful sale of females earlier this past summer.

The Reserve Championship was awarded to Co Cork breeders Gerard and Sheila Lucey who run a strong herd of cows at Coachford. Entries from the herd often feature in the line-up and this time it was Fortregal Jonah a Bowmont Storm son out of the homebred Fortregal Lady Daisy which sold at €3,000 to Kieran McNamara, Kilcrona, Kilkee, Co Clare.

A twenty one month old RH Starburst Lad 7G son Fortregal Hadrian again exhibited by Gerard and Sheila Lucey also sold at €3,000. Out of Fortregal Calla a Bowmont Storm daughter he was purchased by Laoise breeder Francis Scott, Knockfin, Rathdowney.

Two bulls exhibited by David Larkin, The Hermitage, Kilcormack, Co Offaly Cill Cormaic Maximillian and Cill Cormaic Marcel both sired by herd-sire Cedar Liam sold at €2,800 each. Maximillian out of Cill Cormaic Angel sold to Owen O’Neill, Coolroe, Ballincollig while Marcel out of Cloonbracken Enda a Churchill Storm daughter was purchased by Trevor Dudley, Kilsunny, Dovea, Thurles, Co Tipperary.

A further bull Boveen Norman by Corran Hill Classic exhibited by Joe O’Connor, Riverview, Sharavogue, Birr also sold at €2,800. Out of the homebred Boveen Stately 13th by Kilsunny Abraham he was purchased by William Burke, Castlemaine Co Kerry.

Hereford cross stores are currently flavour of the month at GVM Kilmallock with additional buyers each week for the large selection of Hereford cross heifers and steers from calves to weanling to stores on offer. Observers at the mart indicate that Hereford crosses on offer are generally 50 kg heavier than cattle of similar age from other breeds. Prices for Hereford cross steers and heifers are well ahead of that prevailing at this time last year. Current demand for Hereford crosses at this and other marts would provide some explanation for the demand experienced for bulls. Bull purchasers are also no doubt influenced by Hereford calf prices last spring which were also buoyant throughout the season with a definite premium for Hereford.

Sale average €2,414 – Range €3,400 – €1,800