The annual show and sale of pedigree Hereford bulls at Nenagh achieved a top price of €4200 which was underpinned by an extremely healthy average price of €2950. Dairy farmers provided the bulk of the interest in the sales ring with mature bulls suitable for use on cows attracting the best prices.

The overall sale topper was Ballinveney Rebel exhibited by Rory Farrell, Toomevara, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary who sold for €4200. This five star terminal index bull was born in October 2014 and is sired by the Australian AI bull Yarram Star General W251. He was also awarded 1^st prize and the Overall Championship earlier in the day under show judge Coote Geelan, Cloonagheer, Dromod, Co. Leitrim. This bull attracted a flurry of bids in the sales ring but was eventually knocked down to well known local pedigree breeders John & Jim Fitzpatrick of Dareens Herefords, Clonmore, Co. Tipperary.

Rory Farrell’s Ballinveney herd also sold Ballinveney Rusty and Ballinveney Rhino for €3000 and €2900 respectively. Both of these bulls were born in September 2014 and both bulls were sired by the homebred stock bull Ballinveney Narrator.

Michael O’ Keeffe, Newmarket, Co. Cork sold his July 2014 born bull Gurteragh Orson for second highest price of the day at €3800. This quality five star bull was a 1^st prize winner in the pre-sale show and is sired by the hugely successful homebred stock sire Gurteragh Justice. This bull was sold to dairy farmer Michael Kelleher, Banteer, Co. Cork.

Another bull from Michael O’ Keeffe’s Gurteragh herd, Gurteragh Dartangan 641 sold for €3000. Another five star bull, this bull was born in October 2014 and was also sired by herd stock bull Gurteragh Justice.

Sean Neary, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon sold his 16 month old Clooncullane Star 310 for €2800. Sired by Kilsunny Goliath, this bull sold to Edward Caffrey, a dairy farmer from Co. Sligo.

Hugh Murray, Tubber, Moate, Co. Westmeath sold Newland Joey, a 16 month old son of Grianan King Lear ET for €2750. This five star bull sold to pedigree breeder Niall Fudson, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.

Also trading at €2750 was Boara 1 Jody exhibited by Liam Feighery, Kilcormac, Co. Offaly. This bull was born in October 2014 and was a 2^nd prize winner in the pre-sale show.

Other principal prices included John Kelly, Moydow, Co. Longford who sold Mornine Bear, a son of Glaslough Esquire for €2700, Edwin & Robert Jones, Keenagh, Co. Longford sold Keenaghpoll 1 Jackson, a son of Gouldinpoll 1 Superduty, also for €2700 and John Canty Pubblestown, Kildalkey, Co. Meath who sold Portanob Podge for €2600.

The next Irish Hereford Breed Society show and sale of pedigree bulls takes place at GVM Arena, Kilmallock on Friday, April 22^nd.