While there was a good crowd in attendance at the annual April bull show and sale at Cork Marts Bandon this week the atmosphere around the ringside was as cold as the weather outside in the initial stages until auctioneer George Chandler got the crowd warmed up. Understandably the recent cold wet weather has delayed grass growth, turnout for cows and a return to the indoors for many cowherds which had been put to grass in the drier farms.

Once warmed up customers were keen to secure a Hereford bull and in particular a stronger bull fit to run with cows pretty much immediately.

The top price at Bandon went to Ted O’Sullivan a regular exhibitor at the venue who produced the Champion at last year’s event. From Bartlemy, Co Cork Ted’s bull this year Furaleigh Special 966 was a first prize-winner sired by the IHBS Breed Improvement sire Smithston Darby which also sired the Tullamore National Hereford Show Champion in August last. Out of Furaleigh Lass 716 a Furaleigh Generator daughter this strong thick bull was the choice of Robert McCarthy, Farnivane, Bandon at €3,450.

John Cronin of Mourneabbey exhibited a nice October born bull Clyda Cuchulain a Dunsinane Freeman son out of Allowdale Petal. Dairy farmer John O’Sullivan, Cobh was the final bidder at €3,000 to secure his choice on the day.

The Champion Dunworley Sparkey was provided by local Hereford breeder Mary Pat Dinneen Moloney whose family have a long association with both Herefords and Bandon going back for many years. Sired by Kilsunny Goliath this well turned out young bull is out of Dunworley Goldie a Bowmont Storm A584 daughter and sold at a very reasonable €2,600.

The Reserve Champion was shown by Gene Lynch and family from Droumdaniel, Bantry who had three bulls in total exhibited. All were sired by herd-sire Allowdale Exceller a five star son to Mawarra Sentimental. Droumdaniel Dunmac the reserve champion out of Nicola 3^rd a Yarram Pompeii V055 daughter sold at €2,800 while Droumdaniel Dan out of Droumdaniel Tulip 2^nd by Kingsgrove Ultimate 5^th found a new home at €2,700. Droumdaniel Tadhg the third offering from the Lynch Family a Baleen Bobby grandson sold on the drop of the hammer at €2,500 to round off a very satisfactory day for the Bantry based breeder.

Overall there was a very good clearance of stock. Society President John Neenan stated that the prices premium currently available for Hereford cross calves is a major factor in driving current demand for the breed.