Demand for Hereford bulls at Kilkenny saw a major increase over that experienced a month ago when very few cows had been turned out to grass due to the difficult wet conditions. While it has remained cold grass has not grown as required there is however an improvement in conditions though slight. Time is ticking on too which puts some pressure on farmers to source a bull particularly for their dairy herds. Some dairy men are considering putting a Hereford with all their cows this year given the surplus of dairy stock about and the continued pressure on milk price.

The top price of the day €3,450 went to the Champion bull Balleen Deano. A strong bull well ready to serve Deano is bred by local exhibitor Tom Brennan, Balleen, Freshford a regular at this event. The sire of the champion is the well proven stockbull at Balleen, Gageboro Eugenic and the dam is Balleen Miss Perfect. Mr Brennan also parted a little reluctantly with Balleen Generator 852 at €2,950.

The Reserve Champion Clonroe Dean from Gorey, Co Wexford breeder John Jones is an 18 month old son to Baltymore Ginger 379 out of Clonroe Jane. A useful bull he sold at €3,050.

Local man Joe Maher from Ballydoyle, Rathmoyle who purchased the Reserve Champion at the event last month was in reverse role this time exhibiting his Ballydowel Kevin a third prize-winner by stock bull Ballyraggan Kirk 737^th out of Ballydowel Donna. He sold at €3,250. The following lot number Ballydowel King Henry was also exhibited by Mr Maher and by the same sire this time out of Ballydowel Dot a Curraghroe Xray daughter and sold at a neat €3,000.

Committee member Christy Finn, Bawngariff, Ballycallan is always a game seller and parted with his Bawngarriff Goliath sired by successful AI sire Kilsunny Goliath out of a home bred cow Bawngariffe Grace at €3,050.

Ballyraggan Nelson from James Thompson , Rathvilly is sired by Ballyaville Fine Tune a Hollow Point Broker son out of Ballyraggan Avril 662^nd, was a third prize-winner and sold at €2,900

Rathdowney man Francis Scott a long time Hereford breeder exhibited Knockfin Cabernet, rich and red like a good wine he sold at €3,000.

An Ardlahan Ginger son Knockduffpoll 1 Ginger ET was shown by Wexford duo Mairead Curtis and Michael Jones. He found a new owner on a bid of €2,800

There was an excellent clearance at what was deemed to be a very satisfactory  prices for the bulls on offer.