The Irish Hereford Breed Society held their second and final Autumn Hereford Sale last Friday 22^nd October in GVM Kilmallock. There was a good clearance rate with 19 out of the 28 bulls finding new homes. The older and stronger bulls sold well with the top price being €3400 and the average price being €2200.

There was a show permitted before the sale which was held in the temporary show ring outside of the mart. Taking on the task of judging the three classes were Mr. Martin Murphy of Toureenbrien Herefords, Tipperary and his grandson Mr. Shane O’Brien. Irish Hereford Prime also sponsored the sale by awarding €200 to the buyer of each bull sold for €2800 & over.

There was great success for Tom Brennan of Balleen Herefords, Kilkenny. Balleen Hugo took the top price of €3400 when he was purchased by a Tipperary farmer. Hugo, sired by Highhedges Ripsnorter, who is also the sire of Pansy 1222 which was sold at the Elite Genetics Production sale last month for €6000 – is a four-star terminal index bull with four stars for carcase weight and five stars for conformation.

Balleen Lennie was lot 13 in the sale. Sired by Balleen Achiever and bred from an Ardlahan Ginger daughter; Lennie was crowned Champion by the duo judges before being purchased by a Cork farmer for €2800.

Daneswood Dale was a popular bull when he sold to a Limerick herd for €3000. Sired by a Gageboro Morgan son & bred from a Haven Kingpin daughter, Dale is a five-star replacement index bull with four stars for milk and also four stars for terminal index and carcase weight. Dale, bred by Daniel Murphy of Daneswood Herefords, Cork, has cows scanned in-calf prior to the sale.

Lot 23 Keenagh Royal also sold well on the day. Bred by Edwin & Robert Jones of Keenagh Herefords, Longford, Royal was purchased by a breeder from Cork for €3000 also. This July 2020 born bull is sired by a Hollow Point Broker son & bred from Ballyaville Gilda. Royal has four stars for replacement index and calving interval.

Reserve Champion on the day was awarded to Farney Spark, bred by John & Mary Johnston of Farney Herefords, Tipperary. Spark is sired by Karoonda Sampson and bred from a Gagboro Morgan daughter. This September 2020 born bull has a four-star replacement index with five stars for milk. Spark was purchased by a Limerick farmer for €2400 later in the sale.

Congratulations to all buyers and sellers on the day. Many thanks to the steward; Ms. Lesley Sandes, the judges; Mr. Martin Murphy & Mr. Shane O’Brien, the auctioneer; Mr. Richie Ryan, the staff of GVM Kilmallock and Irish Hereford Prime.