Herefords met excellent demand at the Society’s recent sale at Nenagh. Auctioneer Hugh Mulvihill often had a more difficult task than that on Saturday when 30 of the 33 bulls on offer found new homes in quick succession before a well- attended ringside.

With the change in weather and the fact that cows are finally out of the yard, on farm bull sales have experienced a major boost in demand. Such is the interest that sixteen of the bulls entered for Nenagh were already sold at home or at Kilkenny earlier in the week. A straw poll amongst purchasers  asto their interest in Hereford bulls produced the following comments “it’s the €60 to €80 extra calf price”, another “it’s the white head you know what you have” , “it’s the premium at slaughter”, “it’s the calving, her up milking and back in calf again”. Whatever the reason a number of prospective purchasers failed to buy a bull as there were insufficient available on the day but will have a further opportunity at Kilmallock on Friday next April 25th.

Philip Lynch, Finea, Mullingar travelled from Co Westmeath to exhibit his October born bull Carrick Luckey and was rewarded with the Championship and the top price of the day. An Ardlahan Ginger son out of Ballydowel Flipper sired by Glaslough Esquire he sold at €3,500 to Michael Clancy, Clonlara near Limerick.

Trillick Express 2 a son of successful herd sire Steil Gerard out of a Yarram Pompeii V055 daughter Trillick Rose was exhibited by JJ Farrell, Trillick a Temple, Longford. He was purchased by Athy man Brendan Lynch Oaklade Farm Cloney at €3,100.

James Kirwan, Frankfurt, Dunkerrin had two good strong bulls with plenty of size and power on show and was well rewarded for his stock and his efforts. Sheepwalk Tomi shown by his son Gerard sold at €3,000. This is a December born bull by Dovea AI sire Kilsunny Goliath and out of Sheepwalk Beauty a Sheepwalk Tobbie daughter and was purchased by James McInerney, Kilmaley, Ennis, Co Clare. Sheepwalk Tobi the second bull of the pair shown by James Kirwan was just a month older and similar in many ways. He is by Australian sire Banemore Pompeii T036 out of a Trillick Best daughter Sheepwalk Una 2^nd. Frank Flood of Cormackstown, Co Kildare was the purchaser at €2,900.

Local man Rory Farrell from Toomevara a regular exhibitor at Nenagh received €2,950 for his Ballinveney Nero. This is a son of top maternal sire Yarram Star General W251 out of Ballinveney Trendy by BP Regulator 320C. He sold to another local Conor Slattery, Killowney, Ballymackey, Nenagh.

Thurles breeder Tom Ryan, Pallas, Upperchurch exhibited a Gouldingpoll 1 Captain son Tinraherpoll 1 Flash and parted ownership on a bid of €2,900 to Tom Minogue, Fahy, Bridgetown, O’Brien’s Bridge. This five star bull across all traits is out of Tinraherpoll 1 Sile by the Wexford bred Udel 1 Xponent.

Veteran Toomevara breeder Bobby Powell and son Robbie exhibited Blean Fabio. This young bull born February 24^th is by herd sire Woodview John out of Blean Victoria and sold at a very satisfactory price of €2,850. The purchaser was Michael Slattery, Kilcolman, Newtown, Nenagh.

The two youngest bulls in the sale produced the day’s Reserve Champion and were purchased by well-known Co Meath breeder Val Ledwith, Batterstown, Dunboyne. The Reserve Champion was FH Patrick from the well-know Strokestown, Co Roscommon herd of Frank Harrington. A mid-March born son to Bowmont Storm A584 and PDHR 9322 Domino 69G daughter FH Blossom Celine he was purchased at €2,700. Not satisfied to rest there Mr. Ledwith went on to purchaseBrocca John the youngest bull exhibited just three days past his 1st birthday. He is a further son of the successful Australian sire Bowmont Storm A584 and like Mr Harrington’s bull before him he has five stars across all traits with an excellent maternal index. Exhibited by Noel Farrell, Castledaly, Moate he became the property of Mr Ledwith when the hammer dropped at €2,800.

Prices ranged from €3,500 to €2,350 with the average price paid €2,775

This was a most satisfactory outcome for Herefords at Nenagh and is a solid sign that the current trend towards Hereford is grounded in the steady meat plant demand and premium price together with the boost this gives down the line to store cattle and indeed right down to the suck calf market.

The Society’s next sale takes place at GVM Kilmallock on Friday April 25^th.