Breeders couldn’t have imagined just how challenging the Spring of 2020 would be – their worries only being doubled by the global pandemic – Covid-19 and now facing into a potential drought it seems to be turning into a very hard year for all farmers alike.
The Irish Hereford Breed Society held their first ever online bull sale in GVM Kilmallock on Thursday 28th May. It was very different from a conventional sale with there being no show, bulls having to be delivered at designated intervals and buyers having to make appointments to view unmanned stock. This style of sale is very new to breeders of Pedigree bulls across the market and there are several teething issues such as technology gaps and broken communication between the mart and buyers/sellers. Despite this, the Society wanted to mark the Spring with a sale in a safe manner and thought to be the most advantageous for breeders after researching several different options.
There were 24 bulls presented for auction from across the country and each bull was pre-recorded walking around the show ring on a video on arrival to the mart. The video was played back later at the time of the live auction for bidders to view. An overall clearance rate of 30% was achieved at the sale.
Top of the town was ‘Ardmulchan Omagh’ bred by long time breeders Phil & Catherine Smyth of Ardmulchan Herefords, Co. Meath. This top bull was sired by Church Preen Galileo and has a quality blood line – perfect to improve any herd. Omagh not only is fertility tested but has a 5 star rating for docility & daughter calving interval across all beef breeds. The bull was sold to a breeding herd in Kerry for a top price of €2400. Although much lower than the value of this fine bull and much lower than the desired top sale price – this price is indicative of the hard times that breeders are facing across the country.
Ardmulchan Omagh – sold for €2400
Next top bull was ‘Ryemountpoll 1 Knight’ bred by Dermot Kelly from the Ryemount Hereford herd in Co. Kerry. This Solpoll 1 Handsome son, has stars to burn coming out with 5 star replacement & 5 star terminal rate along with being easy calving. This fine bull has moved to new pasture to a breeding herd in the South.
The Society would like to thank all breeders for their patience and support at this time and and take this opportunity to wish all the buyers the very best of luck with their purchases. We hope safe and normal times are in the not too distant future when we can all meet again. Until then – stay safe!
The Society office is still temporarily closed & the phone service is not in use but staff are working remotely. Please contact the Society via e-mail; irishhereford@gmail.com with any questions or queries.
Irish Hereford Prime will be sponsoring 100euro to each buyer of the top 5 highest priced bulls at the upcoming show & sales including; Tullamore, Bandon, Carrick-on-Shannon, Nenagh & Kilmallock.
This contribution is invaluable to our members & breeders & will hopefully prove beneficial to both the buyer & the seller.
Entries are closed for our Premier Sale in GVM Tullamore on Saturday 28th March and there will be 50 quality bulls auctioned for sale on the day.
The show starts at 11am followed by the sale at 1pm.
Mr. John Ludgate, Mallow, Co. Cork will be holding a full herd clearance Sale in Kanturk mart on Tuesday February 4th 2020 at 2pm.
There will be 16 lots of cows with calves at foot, heifers & bulls for sale on the day.
The Fortfarm Herd
The Fortfarm Herd was founded in the early 1960’s by the current owner. From the outset the aim was to put emphasis on quality rather than on quantity. Quality females were added to the herd usually purchased at realistic prices when the opportunity arose at Society sales. One such purchase was a young heifer from the well-established Clonwhelan herd of R & L White, Clonwhelan House, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford. Prior to purchase she had been recently mated to Ballyholey Famous. The resulting calf a heifer which was named “Fortfarm Judy”. The first of several quality offspring “Judy” went on to win at RDS and was Queen of the show circuit winning whenever and wherever exhibited. Her first bull calf was Fortfarm Judo was awarded Supreme Champion at the Society’s Premier Spring Show & Sale then (1979) held at Goff’s Sale complex in Co Kildare. The judge on that occasion was Mr Roger Snell one of the foremost Hereford cattle breeders in the UK. At the sale following “Judo” was purchased at 2,200 by the Irish Department of Agriculture and joined the stud at Dovea AI station where he went on to be a most successful sire producing several champions and many successful herd sires. Their Clonwhelan bred dam has had a strong influence on the development of the herd in the intervening years.
Bulls in more recent years are sold for the most part to repeat customers who return again and again. Heifers considered of lesser quality than desired are sold commercially or for slaughter in order to maintain and improve the overall quality of the herd. Herd sires purchased were carefully selected on bloodlines and type. Advancing years has meant that in more recent years, cattle have not been exhibited at the summer shows and has now prompted the sale of the herd and watch a younger generation enjoy breeding and showing Hereford cattle. The cattle are offered for sale in the hope and expectation that they will prove successful for their new owners.
A great Show and Sale was had at the Annual Carrick -on-Shannon Winter Fair last week on Sunday 24th & Monday 25th November. Top price from the sale was an amazing € 10,000 secured for Junior Belguin Blue Champion Heifer Calf which from a Mayo herd. The Hereford class is ever growing at the fair and encouraged quality stock to the exhibition this year again.
Lot 83 was crowned Champion HEX Heifer, weighing in at 650kgs. This prime heifer was owned by Seamus Neary from Kilkenny and sold for €1720.
Champion HEX Heifer with owner, Seamus Neary, handler, Sean McGarry, Sinead Conry & Sponsor Padraig McGrath of Kye Herefords, Roscommon.
Lot 84, owned by Ivan Glenn; secured 2nd place in the class. This quality HEX heifer weighed 644kgs and sold for a solid €2100.
2nd place winner: Lot 84 belonging to Ivan Glenn with Sinead Conry & Sponsor Padraig McGrath
A busy day was had also by one of our Young Handlers; Sinead Conry of Rathnollag Herefords, Roscommon, who took on the joint task of judging the Young Stock Person Class. Sinead and her collegue, Nicola Farrell, executed the job excellently.
Sinead & Nicola judging the stockpersons skills.
Many thanks to Padraig & Catherine McGrath of Kye Herefords, Roscommon, for sponsoring the Hereford Cross class.
Upcoming Events.
The Premier Spring Show & Sale will be held in GVM Tullamore on Saturday 28th March 2020. Entries close 1 month before the date of Sale.
The Irish National Calf show was held last Sunday 10th November in GVM Tullamore. There was a good show of spectators travelling from across the country to view the classes with nearly 100 entries of top quality stock. This year, the North Leinster Branch spruced up the show with revamped classes.
The Young Handlers got the proceedings underway at 10am with Padraig Farrell of Cavehill Herefords, inspecting their stockmanship skills. Padraig also judged the Commercial class.
Judging the Pedigree classes at this show was Miss Non Thorne from Studdolph Herefords in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Non and her parents; George & Ionwy, have been breeding herefords since 1946. The Thorne family are no strangers to the show ring having won several awards over the years including herd of the year. Non made the 4 hour boat journey with her father, George, to be a part of this event & the Society were only delighted to welcome them both to Tullamore.
Judge, Non Thorne, being presented with a gift from John Canty on behalf of the North Leinster Branch.
Male Championship:
Supreme Male Champion & Senior Male Champion:John & Beatrice Appelbe – Appel 1 Mighty. 372214625741668, 10th Nov 18, Solpoll 1 Lawman, Appel 1 Mighty
Supreme Male Champion & Senior Male Champion: ‘Appel 1 Mighty’ with breeder John Appelbe, Cork & Judge Non Throne.
Reserve Supreme Champion & Junior Male Champion: ‘Trillick Chesney‘ with breeder Ciaran Farrell, Longford.
Reserve Senior Male Champion:Michael & Grainne Farrell -Castledalypoll 1 Shamrock, 372218952750169, 15th Oct 18, Solpoll 1 Lawman, Castledaly Roisin.
Reserve Senior Male Champion: ‘Castledalypoll 1 Shamrock’ with Hugh P. Murray & Breeder Michael Farrell, Westmeath.
Reserve Junior Male Champion: Raymond Vere Hunt & Veronica Brennan – Herberry 1 Kodak Moment ET, 372226228410404, 1st Feb 19, Panmure 1 Henry, Gouldingpoll 1 Lucy 641.
Reserve Junior Male Champion: Herberry 1 Kodak Moment Et‘ with breeder Veronica Brennan, Tipperary.
1st Place Senior Young Handler – Sarah Murray with class sponsor Alison Beattie. Young Handler & Commerical Judge, Padraig Farrell, being presented with a gift from Isabella Canty on behalf of the North Leinster Branch.
Class 3: Heifer Calf born on or between 15th September & 14th November 2018.
Sponsor: Hugh Mulvihill (Auctioneer) & GVM.
1. Michael
Dullea – Ballymartle 1 Dolly 167, 372226275080167, 29th Oct 18, Solitude 1
Marshall, Appel 1 Dolly 2.
4. Sean
McKiernan – Corlismorepoll 1 Sydney 004, 372214481621004, 5th Nov 18,
Corlismorepoll 1 Lad, Corlismorepoll 1 Sydney 524.
5. Edwin
& Robert Jones – Keenagh Orlena, 372222238110376, 7th Nov 18, Black
Water Lad, Keenagh Maddy.
1st place in class 3,Supreme Female Champion & Senior Female Champion: ‘Ballymartle 1 Dolly 167‘ with exhibitor Michael Dullea, Cork.2nd Place in Class 3, Reserve Supreme Female Champion & Reserve Senior Female Champion: ‘Griananpoll 1 Orange T863’ with breeder Dara Fitzgerald., Westmeath.
Class 4: Heifer Calf born on or between 15th November 2018 & 14th January 2019.
Sponsor: Greenvale Animal Feeds
1. Raymond Vere Hunt & Veronica
Brennan – Herberry 1 Lucy Superstar, 372226228480402, 8th Jan 19, SMH Euro
30E, Gouldingpoll 1 Lucy 641.
2.Eamon & John McKiernan – Knockmanta 1 Kylie, 372216014610845, 2nd Dec 18, Solpoll 1 Kentucky Kid, Knockmanta 1 Beauty.
2. John Jones – Clonroe
Holly, 372222730241828, 9th Apr 19, Kilsunny Goliath, Clonroe Fiadh.
3. Michael & Ciaran
Kinahan – Airhill Rapunzal, 372214494991307, 29th Apr 19, Cill Cormaic
Napoleon, Airhill Korea.
4. John Jones – Airhill
Rufus, 372214494971313, 5th May 19, Trillick Paul, Airhill Koba.
1st Place in Class 6: ‘Knockmanta 1 Georgina’ with breeder John McKiernan, Louth.3rd Place in Class 6:‘Airhill Rapunzal‘ with Handler Sarah Murray.
Class 7: Heifer Calf of the future, born from May 15th 2019 onwards.
Sponsor: Progressive
Genetics
1. Michael Molloy – Moyclare Rose 45th, 372223914620467,
23rd May 19, Freetown Nadal, Moyclare Rose 10th.
Heifer Calf of the Future: ‘Moyclare Rose 45th’ with breeder Michael Molloy, Offaly.
Class 8: Commercial Hereford sired calf, Male or Female not weighing over 450kg.
Sponsor: Irish Hereford Prime
1. Hugh P
Murray – Panda, 372212246290214, 10th Feb 19, Romany 1 Lawbreaker,
IE182026730288
2. Ivan
Jones – ——, 372219868550416, 6th Apr 19, IE301207220987, IE361116760219.
3. Hugh P
Murray – Fluffy, 372212246220216, 18th Feb 19, Normanton 1 Laertes,
IE301096610146
4. Philip
Smyth – Oreo, 372214429580845, 13th May 19, Church Preen Galileo,
IE121007620515.
Commercial Champion: ‘Panda’, with breeder Hugh P. Murray, Westmeath.Commercial Champion ‘Panda’ & 3rd place Commercial ‘Fluffy’ with breeders Hugh P & Kerrie Murray.
Class 9: Bull Calf born on or between 15th September & 14th November 2018.
Sponsor: Lakeland Dairies
1. John & Beatrice
Appelbe – Appel 1 Mighty, 372214625741668, 10th Nov 18, Solpoll 1 Lawman,
Appel 1 Mighty
2. Michael & Grainne Farrell – Castledalypoll 1 Shamrock, 372218952750169, 15th Oct 18, Solpoll 1 Lawman, Castledaly Roisin.
4. Michael
Molloy – Moyclare Romeo,
372223914670455, 1st Nov 18, Church Hill Nigel, Moyclare Rose 23rd.
5. Edwin
& Robert Jones – Keenagh Bruno, 372222238150371, 20th Oct 18, Keenagh
L-Jay, Lislaughtin Alma 9.
1st Place in Class 9, Supreme Male Champion & Senior Male Champion: ‘Appel 1 Mighty’ with breeder John Appelbe, Cork & Judge Non Throne.2nd Place in Class 9, Reserve Senior Male Champion: ‘Castledalypoll 1 Shamrock’ with Hugh P. Murray & Breeder Michael Farrell, Westmeath.
Class 10: Bull Calf born on or between 15th November & 14th January 2019.
2. Mark
Hyland – Hillockpoll 1 Buster, 372214824480534, 15th Dec 18, Solpoll 1
Kentucky Kid, Hillockpoll 1 Michaela
3. Eamon
& John McKiernan – Knockmanta 1 Handsome, 372216014630847, 20th Dec 18,
Fabb 1 Northern Star, Knockmanta 1 Ethel.
4. John
Farrell – Boyanna Storm, 372213068251073, 12th Dec 18, Boyanna Rambler,
Boyanna Mollie.
5. Sarah
Murray -Shiloh-Farm Foreman, 372215248660564, 4th Dec 18, Shiloh-Farm
Dynamite, Shiloh-Farm Adorable Lady ET.
1st Place in Class 10 – ‘Rathnollag Ted’ with breeder Sinead Conry, Westmeath.2nd Place in Class 10: ‘Hillockpoll 1 Buster’ , bred by Mark Hyland, Leitrim.4th Place in Class 10: ‘Boyanna Storm’ with breeder John Farrell.
Class 11: Bull Calf born on or between 15th January & 14th March 2019.
Sponsor: Animax
1. Raymond
Vere Hunt & Veronica Brennan – Herberry 1 Kodak Moment ET,
372226228410404, 1st Feb 19, Panmure 1 Henry, Gouldingpoll 1 Lucy 641.
2. John
& Beatrice Appelbe – Appel 1 Shergar, 372214625751685, 25th Feb 19,
Solpoll 1 Lawman, Appel 1 Faith.
3. Trevor
Dudley – Kilsunny Pierre, 372219778781804, 20th Feb 19, Clooncullane King
322, Kilsunny Lass Josslyn
1st Place in Class 11,Reserve Junior Male Champion: Herberry 1 Kodak Moment Et‘ with breeder Veronica Brennan, Tipperary.
Class 12: Bull Calf born on or between 15th March & 14th May 2019.
5. John Jones – Airhill Riley, 372214494921300, 18th Apr 19, Cill Cormaic Napoleon, Airhill Iris.
1st Place in Class 11, Reserve Supreme Champion & Junior Male Champion: ‘Trillick Chesney‘ with breeder Ciaran Farrell, Longford.
Class 13: Bull Calf of the future, born from May 15th 2019 onwards.
Sponsor: ABP
1. Edwin & Robert Jones – Keenagh Pedro, 372222238190391, 3rd Jul 19, Keenagh L-Jay, Keenagh Lavender.
Bull Calf of the Future: ‘Keenagh Pedro’, bred by Edwin & Robert Jones, Longford.
Our team of Young Handlers; Eoin, Sinead, Michael & Katie were also out in force on Sunday from early morning as they washed, dried, clipped, groomed & dressed animals for all breeders who wanted an extra hand. Each of the team also led animals in both the Show for themselves and other exhibitors. The team are now gearing up for their travels down under where they will represent Ireland in the Young Handlers competition at the World Hereford Conference in New Zealand next March 2020.
Young Handlers; Michael Barrett, Sinead Conry, Katie Brady & Eoin Lynch.
A massive congratulations also to our Young Handler; Sinead Conry, Rathnollag Herefords in Roscommon, on being crowned Macra na Feirme ‘Queen of the Land 2019’, last Sunday also in the Bridge House, Tullamore.
Sinead Conry showcasing her ‘Queen of the Land’ Sash with ‘Rathnollag Ted’ who won first prize in class 10
Well done to John O’Dwyer, Scarragh Herefords, Tipperary, on winning the People’s Commercial Champion when he correctly judged the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place Commercial winners as per Padraig Farrell’s judgement. John won a box of meat which was kindly sponsored by Irish Hereford Prime.
Well done to all exhibitors on the day & Many thanks to all the generous sponsors, who make this show possible; Farm Wardrobe, ABP, Animax, Dovea Genetics, Greenvale Animal Feeds, GVM Marts, Hereford Prime, Hugh Mulvihill Auctioneer, Lakeland Dairies, Progressive Genetics & Slaney Foods International.
Upcoming Events.
The Premier Spring Show & Sale will be held in GVM Tullamore on Saturday 28th March 2020. Entries close 1 month before the date of Sale.
