The annual Kilkenny multi-breed bull sale held in early May was very successful for Herefords this year. Trade was consistently good throughout the sale with the average price resting at just over €3200 and 75% of bulls sold earned over €3000.

The Champion and top price on the day was Balleen Actavis, bred by Tom Brennan of Balleen Herefords, Kilkenny. Actavis, sired by a Yarram Star General son and bred from a Balleen Achiever dam, has four stars for both the replacement and the terminal index. Actavis sold for €4900.

The second top price of the day was €4600 for Cave Court Ricky, bred by Kathleen Vaughan, Tipperary. This October 2020 bull was sired by Allowdale Advance and bred from a Gageboro Suave granddaughter. Ricky has five stars for the replacement index, four stars for the terminal index and a low calving figure.

Listrolin Morgan, bred by Pat Rohan, Kilkenny, was sired by Gageboro Morgan and bred from a Cill Cormaic Lincoln dam. Morgan, having four stars for replacement rate and milk, was purchased for €4100.

There was success all round for Trevor Masteron of Galbally Herefords, Wexford, when he sold two lots back to back. Their first lot into the ring; Galbally Axel 1590, sired by Allowdale Rory 835 and bred from a Castledaly Gearoid dam, has five stars for both terminal index and carcase conformation. This August born bull sold for €3700.

Galyballypoll 1 Mooreside 1610 was the next lot into the ring and was purchased for €3400. Another August born bull, sired by Moorside 1 Joseph and bred from Balleen Pansy 832, this bull has a four star terminal and a four star replacement index.

Ballyraggan Whistler 1025th also sold for €3400. Whistler was bred by James Thompson, Carlow. Having five stars for both terminal index and carcase weight, Whistler was sired by Rathnollag Lucky 790 and bred from an F.H. William dam.

The Thompsons also sold Ballyraggan Warlock 1031st on the day for €3200. Warlock, sired by Kye Hulk 706 and bred from a Border Rory dam, has a four star terminal index and five stars for carcase weight.

Lot 54 into the ring also sold for €3400. Boyanna Shurock was bred by John P Farrell, Westmeath. Sired by Boyanna Waffler, a Bowmont Storm son and a Rathcor Ranger granddaughter, this November born bull has four stars for both the replacement and the terminal index.

John Farrell sold a further bull who earned €3000 during the sale; Boyanna Hallmark. This December born bull was sired by Kilsunny Goliath and bred from a Glaslough Esquire dam. Hallmark has a four star replacement and a four star terminal index.

John O’Heney of Brensha Herefords, Tipperary, also sold a bull for €3400. Brensha More, sired by Cill Cormaic Kasper and bred from a Glaslough Esquire dam, has a five star replacement rate and a four star terminal index.

The next best price on the day was Mount Shannon George, bred by Nigel Cox, Roscommon. George, sired by Trillick George and bred from a Kilsunny Goliath dam was sold for €3300.

The next bull that sold for €3300 was Knockfin Mark, bred by the Scott family, Laois. Knockfin Mark, born October 2020 was sired by Balleen Revenue and bred from a Quinsboro Storm 6th dam.

The Scott family also sold Knockfin Insitor for €3100. This September born bull was sired by Quinsboro Storm 6th and bred from a Forteregal Hadrian dam. Insitor has a four star terminal index rating and easy calving figures.

Christy Finn of Bawngarriff Herefords, Kilkenny also exhibited and sold one bull on the day. Bawngarriff Douglas Nine was sired by Forestview Douglas and bred from a Cill Cormaic Omorga dam. With four stars for the replacement index – this bull sold for €3000.

Overall this season was a great success for Herefords with a huge demand seen consistently throughout the Spring.