The Spring Hereford sale was held in Nenagh yesterday and what a flyer it was! The sale would usually be held on the Saturday before the Kilmallock April sale but this year the society decided to move to a Thursday to accomodate dairy farmers who would be attending the bi-weekly dairy female sale also held in Nenagh. The sale kicked off on a high with no re-runs from the first five lots as the demand was high for older bulls that are ready to work. The average sale price was €3200 which was over €300 above the average price for the same sale last year and 80% of bulls sold for over €3000.

The top of the town was bred by Noel Farrell of Brocca Herefords, Westmeath. Brocca Leo, sired by Allowdale Rambo 738 and bred from a Cill Cormaic Kasper dam, has a five-star replacement index along with five stars for milk, calving interval and good figures for calving ease. Leo was purchased by a Galway farmer for €4700.

Along way from home, Skehanore Gifted did not disappoint after his long journey from Ballydehob. This June 2020 born bull was bred by Tom & Paddy Hickey, Cork. Gifted is sired by Free Town Peerless, National Hereford Champion 2021 – a sire that is proving to be very successful for the Skehanore herd. Gifted was bred from a Balleen Plomber dam and has five stars for terminal index and carcase weight – he also has easy calving figures and was purchased for €3650 by a Laois breeder.

There was success for Ballinveney Herefords once again during this sale. Ballinveney Dougal, born in November 2020 and bred by Rory Farrell, Tipperary, sold for €3400 to a Galway farmer. Dougal, sired by Karoonda Sampson, one of the IHBS Breed Improvement sires and bred from a GH Adams 1 Bulge dam, has a four-star terminal index.

The following lot catalogued; Mountwilliams Octavius was crowned Reserve Champion by judge Mr. Cathal Flynn of Rossmore Herefords, Monaghan. This November 2020 bull was bred by Aidan Farrell, Westmeath. Octavius was sired by Butlerstown Duke and bred from a Churchill Storm dam and has fours stars for both the terminal and the replacement index. Octavius was sold for €3400.

Simonstown 1 Bruce, bred by Gabriel Glynn, Westmeath, sold for €3300 to fellow breeder from Clare. This May 2020 born bull was sired by Black Water Master and bred from Grousehallpoll 1 Premier dam – he has a five-star terminal index figure and five stars across the terminal index board for weight and conformation also.

There was a big interest in bulls by farmers from the West of Ireland. Kye Ranger 920, bred by Padraig McGrath, Roscommon, was sold as lot 22 to a Clare farmer for €3250. Ranger is sired by Pulham Ranger and bred from a Cill Cormaic Kasper dam. This August 2020 born bull has five stars for terminal index and carcase weight.

Three bulls on the day sold for €3200.

After a long journey from Monaghan to Nenagh – Glaslough Vauxhall – the first bull into the ring – did his job when he sold for €3200. Vauxhall was bred by Nigel Heatrick, Monaghan. This four-star terminal bull was sired by Clooncullane Major 343, a Trillick Hotspur son and bred from a Glaslough Pompeii dam.

The next lot into the ring also sold for €3200. Bred by Davina Lewis, Offaly – Glosterbegpoll 1 Romeo is sired by a Gageboro Morgan son and bred from a Trillick Hotspur dam. This April 2020 bull has a five-star replacement rate and was purchased by a Galway herd.

There was further success for Davina Lewis and Glosterbeg Herefords when their second lot later sold for €3200 also to a West herd in Clare. Glosterbegpoll 1 Oscar, sired by Cill Cormaic Kasper and bred from a Glosterbeg Dave dam – has a page of stars including five stars for both the terminal and replacement index and a low calving figure.

Mr. Cathal Flynn awarded the Champion of the day to Newland Dale, bred by Hugh P Murray, Westmeath. Newland Dale was awarded Reserve Junior Male Champion 2021 and has gone onto to continuously thrive since then. Dale, sired by Black Water Lad and bred from a Kilronan Hosea dam, was purchased for €3200 by a Galway farmer who also purchased Ballinveney Dougal.

The final and youngest bull into the sales ring; Ardmulchan Sydney finished the sale off when he sold for €3000 to a fellow Meath breeder. Bred by Phil and Catherine Smyth, Meath; Ardmulchan Sydney is sired by Ballinveney Tiger and bred from a Church Preen Galileo dam. Sydney has five stars for the terminal index and carcase weight along with having a low calving figure.

Aidan Farrell of Mountwilliams Herefords, Westmeath sold his second and final bull later in the sale for €3000. Mountwilliams Oscar Wild, sired by Butlerstown Duke and bred from a Churchill Storm dam, has a four-star replacement index and an easy calving figure.

After a successful sale in Kilkenny earlier this month – there was further success for the Tipperary native, Willie Duff. Ballinalick Rory, sired by Allowdale Rory 594 and bred from a Ballyboe dam, was purchased by a Wexford breeder for €3000.

Congratulations to all breeders and the very best of luck to all purchasers.

Many thanks are extended to the judge; Mr. Cathal Flynn, auctioneer; Mr. Eamonn Gaffney, pre-sale inspector: Mr. Clive Jennings, Stewards: Mr. Darren and Mr. Conor O’Rourke, Philip and the staff of Central Auctions Nenagh and to Irish Hereford Prime for once again sponsoring this sale.