The annual Hereford bull sale was held in Bandon mart on Wednesday 13^th April. The sale incorporated the added element of weighing all bulls on the morning of the sale when they’re being checked in.

The show was judged by the IHBS President, Mr. Adrian Bateman, as has been the tradition since the sale began. There were two classes for judging on the day and before long Adrian tapped out Butlerstown Quartz as the Champion – bred by local breeder Shane O’Driscoll. Quartz subsequently sold for the top price of the day at €3,400. Quartz, born in September 2021, was sired by Pulham Powerhouse and bred from a Balleen Plomber dam. Quartz has five stars for the Terminal index, carcase weight and a DBI value of €103. Ms. Beatrice Applebe presented the Frank Appelbe Cup to Shane on winning the Championship.

Reserve Champion was awarded to Hazel Grove Hugo by Dermot Whelton, Skibberean. Hugo was sired by Cill Cormaic Kasper and bred from a Gageboro dam. Hugo has four stars for the replacement rate and carcase conformation and a DBI value of €104.

The joint top price of the day went to lot 13 – Dunworley Castle 205, by Jim Moloney and Mary Pat Dineen from Bandon also. This June 2021 bull was sired by Freetown Peerless, who also sired Skehanore Fruitful who is now standing in Dovea Genetics and proving very popular and successful already. Castle 205 was also bred from Skehanore Betsy E 966, a Balleen Pip dam. With five stars for both the replacement and terminal index, easy calving figures and a DBI value of €99 – this bull was purchased on the day for €3,400.

Another Freetown Peerless son also sold on the day – Skehanore Humorous by Tom and Paddy Hickey, Ballydehob. Humorous was bred from a Balleen Plomber dam and with five stars for the terminal index and carcase weight, four stars for the replacement index and a DBI value of €106 – this July 2021 born bull was sold for €2,850.

The first bull in the catalogue sold for €2,800 – Invernia Merlin by Edward Duggan, Macroom. This January 2021 bull was sired by Cill Cormaic Marvel and bred from Turlough Little Lass. Merlin has four stars for the replacement index, terminal index, carcase weight and five stars for milk and a DBI value of €101.

Edward Duggan’s second lot of the day – Invernia Dandy, sold for €2,650.

Another Pulham Powerhouse son was also auctioned during the sale – Droumdaniel Powerhouse, by Gene Lynch, Bantry. This August 2021 bull was bred from a Brocca Kieran dam. This bull has an excellent terminal evaluation with five stars for the terminal index, carcase weight, conformation and a DBI value of €108. A dairy farmer purchased powerhouse for €2,600.

Of the 17 bulls that presented for sale – nine bulls were sold and the average price for the nine bulls was €2,800.

Many thanks are extended to the show judge, Mr. Adrian Bateman, the sale auctioneer, the staff of Bandon mart and Irish Hereford Prime for their continued sponsorship.