The annual show and sale of pedigree Hereford bulls enjoyed a buoyant trade at the GVM Arena, Kilmallock with an outstanding clearance recorded with strong interest from both the dairy and pedigree sector.
Padraig McGrath, Cloonshannagh, Elphin, Co. Roscommon took home the supreme championship honours under joint judges Glenn Jacob, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford and Pat McCarthy, Bandon, Co. Cork with his bull Kye Harry 697. This bull was born in December 2014 and is a son of the UK bred stock sire Free Town Hotspur. A five star bull for both terminal and replacement index, coupled with a calving ease of just 3.8%, this bull attracted huge interest in the sales ring. He sold for an overall top price of €4500 to the Aliehs pedigree Hereford herd of Timmie O’Sullivan, Brosna, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
The second highest price of the sale was Clondrinapoll 1 Jack exhibited by Gerard & Declan Donnelly, Lissycassey, Ennis, Co. Clare. This bull sold for €3300 to John Dillon McCarthy, Croom, Co. Limerick. Born in August 2014, this bull was a 1st prize winner in the pre-sale show and was sired by Balleen Gilbert.
Ted O’ Sullivan, Bartlemy, Fermoy, Co. Cork sold Furaleigh Ben 963 for €3200. The oldest bull on offer on the day, this bull was sired by Dareens Herculean and was sold to pedigree Hereford & commercial suckler farmers Raymond & Gilbert Stanley, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
A number of bulls traded at €3000.
The Reserve Champion, Moyclare Nugget, exhibited by Michael Molloy, Belmont, Birr, Co. Offaly was the first bull to sell for €3000. This five star terminal index bull is sired by the acclaimed stock bull Brocca Saviour and sold to Alan Lynch, Castlegregory, Co. Kerry.
Glaslough Paddy, exhibited by Thomas Plunkett, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, also sold for €3000. This bull was born in October 2014 and was sired by Glaslough Karl. He was a 3rd prize winner earlier in the day and had a 5 stars terminal and replacement index. He sold to John Collins, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick.
Also selling at €3000 was Knockfin Rovigo exhibited by Francis Scott, Knockfin, Rathdowney, Co. Laois. This bull was born in September 2014 and was sired by Rathregan Lincolm and was out of Knockfin Adelaide 614. He sold to Donal Leonard, Milford, Charleville, Co. Cork.
Joe O’ Connor, Sharavogue, Birr, Co. Offaly also received €3000 for his bull Boveen Nicky. This July 2014 born bull was sired by Glaslough Esquire and was sold to James Kenneally, Ardprior, Buttevant, Co. Cork.
Norman Richardson, Newtongore, Carrick-On-Shannon, Co. Leitrim sold Brocca Michael for €2900 to Denis Crowley, Tipperary.
Thomas Farrell, Moate, Co. Westmeath received €2900 for Boyanna Timmy, who sold to pedigree breeders Niall Daly & Lisa Holloway, Moate, Co. Westmeath.
Nigel Heatrick, Annereagh, Glaslough, Co. Monaghan sold his 1st prize winner Glaslough Professor, a son of Kye Sting 595, for €2850.
Rounding out the principal prices of the day were Patrick O’ Donnell, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork sold Glenvalley Leopold for €2800, Ted O’ Sullivan, Fermoy, Co. Cork sold Furaleigh Kobe 988 and Cloonshanagh 1 Harry 702 from Padraig McGrath, Elphin, Co. Roscommon also sold at €2800.
Overall, the sale produced a very healthy average of €2975 at a terrific clearance of 82%.
The next Irish Hereford Breed Society sale of bulls takes place at Nenagh Mart on Saturday, May 22nd.
Irish Hereford Breed Society Ltd 