Herefords sold to a top price of €6,100 and an average of €3,600 at the Society’s Premier spring Show & Sale at Tullamore well surpassing the average at the recent sale at Kilkenny where demand outstripped supply.
Increased demand for Hereford bulls is clearly indicated by reports from breeders across the country that they are selling bulls earlier than in previous years and that many Hereford bulls have already been purchased on farm. This was apparent in Tullamore where ten of the twelve absentees were already sold in advance of the sale. Breeders are therefore understandably upping their expectations achieving their targets and in many instances surpassing them.
Reserve Champion and top price bull Moyclare Mariner sold at €6,100 exhibited by Michael Molloy. Purchaser Sean McKiernan, Corlismore, Cavan
This was the situation at Tullamore where average prices increased by €500 on the same event in 2014. There is no doubt a number of buyers from Northern Ireland attending the sale influenced the overall outcome. The day’s top price of €6,100 was however paid by well-known Cavan Hereford breeder Sean McKiernan of Corlismore who has already sold sixteen Hereford bulls on farm this spring. His selection was the Reserve Champion Moyclare Mariner a November born son of Brocca Saviour from the herd of Michael Molloy Belmont, Co Offaly who also exhibited the Reserve Champion at last year’s event which sold to Dovea AI. This is a classic combination of some very successful Australian bloodlines imported through the Society’s Breed Improvement scheme in recent years. The sire Brocca Saviour is currently the number one bull for terminal traits on the ICBF evaluations; he is a son of the very successful Bowmont Storm A584. The dam of Mariner is Moyclare Dora a daughter of Yarram Pompeii V055.
Moyclare Lunar a first prize-winner and half-brother from the same stable out of Moyclare Pansy3rd by Skehanore Henry sold at €4,700 to Mervyn Hamilton, Castlederg, Co Tyrone. Mr Molloy was well pleased with the outcome heading home with a sale average of €5,400.
Champion Knockmountagh Master sold at €4,900 Exhibited by Eamonn & John McKiernan
The Champion Knockmountagh Master a Grianan Firecracker son was exhibited by Eamon & John McKiernan, Monasterboice, Co Louth. The father and son partnership are no strangers to the top honours having scooped the Championship at the National Calf show in November last with this young bull. Northern Ireland Hereford breeder David Wilson of Maheraveley, Co Fermanagh was quickly off the mark as soon as this Knockmountagh Carmel son entered the ring finally securing him with a bid of €4,900.
Knockmountagh Bruno a first prize-winner also exhibited by Eamon & John McKiernan this time sired by Bowmont Vancouver another sire whose semen has been imported by the Society sold at €4,000 to William, Fleury, Killyon, Birr. This young bull’s dam Knockmountagh Aoife is a very good breeding cow sired by the very successful Churchill Storm V583. Vancouver progeny have been coming to prominence of late since semen of Bowmont Storm has become unavailable.
Moyclare Lunar sold at €4,700 exhibited by Michael Molloy
Willie Kennedy, Ballyforan, Co Roscommon on his first day out at Tullamore was extremely happy to part with his eighteen month old Feevaghmorepoll 1 Governor a Gouldingpoll 1 Superduty son at €4,650. He sold to Mervyn Hamilton of Castlederg who had already purchased Moyclare Lunar at €4,700. This bull is out of a cow Aliehs Annette purchased by Mr Kennedy from Timmy & Sheila O’Sullivan, Brosna, Tralee, Co Kerry.
Feevaghmore Poll 1 Governor sold at €4,650 exhibited by Willie Kennedy
Kye Hector 645 exhibited by Padraig McGrath, Kye, Elphin is by Free Town Hotspur and out of Kye Sheila 564 a Bowmont Storm A584 daughter. He was purchased by Damien Mulleady, Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe, at €4,500. The sire Free Town Hotspur is a UK imported stockbull jointly owned by Padraig McGrath and JJ Farrell, Trillick, Co Longford.
Kye Hector €4,500 exhibited by PadraigMcGrathKnockmountagh Bruno sold at €4,000 exhibited by Eamonn & John McKiernan
Co Monaghan breeder Cathal Flynn, Tullyard, Monaghan accepted a final bid of €3,750 from Brian Stanley, Erill, Portlaois for his yearling bull Rossmore Kestrel. A Grianan King Kong son he is out of Rossmore Blossom by Ballyaville Nelson.
Rossmore Kestrel exhibitor Cathal Flynn with purchaser Brian Stanley @ €3,750
Grianan Neon from Tom & Anselm Fitzgerald a five star bull by Grianan Highflyer ET was purchased by Marcus Neylon, Darragh, Ennis, Co Clare at €3,700. Its dam Grianan Orange K581 is out of his award winning dam Grianan Dominique and is a Bowmont Storm A584 daughter.
Grianan Neon €3,700 exhibited by T & A Fitzgerald
It is perhaps worth noting that just three bulls went to pedigree breeders with the balance purchased by dairy and suckler producers. Hereford cross calf and store cattle prices are buoyant currently while demand for quality assured stock fitting the requirements of processors and retailers for the Hereford branded beef outlets continues to grow week on week. These appear to be the main drivers of demand while some marts suggest many store heifers and heifer calves are destined for the suckler beef herd as replacements in recognition of the dependability of the Hereford cross cow in terms of fertility, docility, milk and fertility.
Overall the average at €3,600 was very satisfactory with a range from €2,000 to €6,100 and a clearance of 66%. The Society’s next sale is at Nenagh on Saturday April18th with one the following week at Kilmallock on Friday April 24th.
The inaugural National Hereford Calf Show was held this past Saturday at the GVM Arena, Tullamore. This is a new event for the 2014 show calendar and was supported by over 40 exhibitors from all corners of Ireland resulting in a final entry of in excess of 80 calves. The spectator area was full to capacity with visitors from all over Ireland in attendance. It was also a pleasure to welcome additional visitors from Northern Ireland, England, Wales and Denmark. A special thank you is extended to all the sponsors who supported the event and made it possible.
The show attracted a number of calves that had enjoyed a significant amount of success during the summer show season as well as many animals making their debut on the show circuit. As a result, the quality and standard of calves in each class was superb and the event was a spectacular showcase of Irish Herefords and a great exhibition of Hereford cattle.
The day kicked off with the young stockperson classes. This section was judged by Irish Hereford Breed Society President Ivor Deverell. Each young handler was judged on their ability to show and parade their animal and was also evaluated on their knowledge of the breed and their calf. The junior section was won by Sarah Murray with Leah Mullen coming in second position. The senior section was won by Catherine Smyth with Ciaran Kinahan and Colin Anderson taking second and third prize respectively. Each of the young handlers were presented with a rosette and special medal many of them were back in action in the show ring later in the day leading calves in the main show classes.
Winners Young Handler Competitions – On Left Age 14 -21 – 1st, Catherine Smyth with Ardmulchan Clover 610 and Under 14- 1st, Sarah Murray with Grianan Nobleman
The female section comprised of four classes and fielded a very strong entry of top quality young heifers. The overall Female Championship was awarded to the winner of the senior heifer calf class Gouldingpoll 1 Duchess 591 exhibited by Matthew Goulding. This quality heifer is no stranger to success having previously placed as the Reserve All Ireland Heifer Calf of the Year at the National Hereford Show in Tullamore last August in addition to winning many more prizes on the Munster show circuit. Judge Andrew Hughes described his Female Champion as “an extremely well balanced and correct young heifer” and had no hesitation in placing her at the top of the championship line-up.
Champion Heifer Gouldingpoll 1 Duchess 591 with owner Matthew Goulding and judge Andrew Hughes UK.
The Reserve Female Champion came from the Corlismore Polled Herefords of Sean McKiernan with the young calf Corlismore Poll 1 Lady 748. Lady 748 took 1st prize in the keenly contested senior 2014 born class. The judge complimented this heifer on her “size for age” and she fought off stiff competition from many of the older heifers to take the Reserve Female championship.
Reserve Champion Heifer Corlismorepoll 1 Lady 748 with Gary McKiernan and judge Andrew Hughes UK.
Other 1st prize winners on the day included the 2014 National Hereford Show Female Champion, Knockmountagh Cindy exhibited by John & Eamon McKiernan, who won the junior Autumn 2013 class. The youngest calf of the entire show, Gageboro Niamh 2, won the junior class in the female section for breeders Niall Daly & Lisa Holloway.
1st Prizewinner Knockmountagh Cindy with owner Eamonn McKiernan.1st Prizewinner Gageboro Niamh 2nd with Niall Daly
The male section was particularly well supported with a large entry in each of the four classes with one class attracting an entry of 23 bulls, 18 of which were present on the day. The Male Championship was awarded to Eamon & John McKiernan with the winner of the first bull class of the day – Knockmountagh Master. This bull was a prolific winner of many prizes during the summer circuit and capped off a tremendous year for his owners by taking home the overall Male Championship. Judge Andrew Hughes was praised his Champion for his “strength and power” and added that he was a very deserving champion of the show.
Male Champion Knockmountagh Master with John McKiernan
The Reserve Male championship was won by Moyclare Mariner for owner Michael Molloy. This superbly fleshed young calf has also enjoyed much success on the summer show circuit and is sired by the noted stock bull Brocca Saviour. The Judge also commented on the exceptional muscling of the bull for his age.
Reserve Male Champion Moyclare Mariner with owner Michael Molloy and jdge Andrew Hughes UK
The senior 2014 born bull calf class was won by Sean McKiernan’s Colismorepoll 1 Hustler 747 who is sired by the former two-time National Hereford Show Champion Grianan Firecracker. The last of the show classes was won by Rossmore Kestrel for owner Cathal Flynn. This bull deserves particular recognition as he fought off stiff competition from a large number of quality bull calves in what Judge Andrew Hughes described as the show’s “most difficult class to judge”.
1st Prizewinner Corlismorepoll 1 Hustler 747 with Gary McKiernan1st Prizewinner Rossmore Kestrel with owner Cathal Flynn
Female Section:
Class 1: Heifer born between 01.09.2013 – 31.10.2013
All roads lead to Tullamore for the National Hereford Calf Show on Saturday November 22nd next.
The event hosted by the Irish Hereford Society’s North Leinster branch takes place at the GVM Show Arena with judging set to kick off with the Young Handler classes at 10.30am. Well known UK judge Andrew Hughes travels over for the event and welcomes the opportunity to adjudicate on the large entry of 82 animals.
Stock from regular show exhibitors will feature alongside those from many newly formed herds which are expected to make their mark and stake a claim to the top positions.
This is the first such Hereford event to be held and is made possible through the work a a dedicated organising committee and the generosity of sponsors who have given tremendous support in what are challenging times. A sincere thank you to all involved.
This promises to be a very enjoyable day out for all the family and a great opportunity to view the younger Hereford genetics coming on stream.
Preparations are well in hand for a National Hereford Calf show to be held at the GVM Cattle Display Arena, Tullamore. The date selected for the event which will be held under the auspices of the Irish Hereford Breed Society North Leinster Branch is Saturday November 22nd2014. Generous sponsorship is currently being put in place. The branch and its members are to be commended on this very welcome initiative at a time of increasing interest in the breed.
Classes will include four heifer calf classes and four bull calf classes. Two further classes will be held for Young Hereford Handlers in two different age-groups.
Classes will be for:
calf born on or between 1stSeptember 2013 and 31stOctober 2013
Calf born on or between 1stNovember 2013 and 31stof December 2013
Calf born on or between 1stJanuary 2014 and 28thFebruary 2014
Calf born on or after 1stMarch 2014
Closing date for entries will be 1stNovember 2014
For further information contact Chairman Anselm Fitzgerald on 087 662 3403 or Secretary Joe Deverell on 087 270 2271
Winner Young Handler Class and William J Twomey Memorial Trophy Sarah Murray, Moate, Co Westmeath with Irish Hereford Society President Ivor Deverell
Nenagh Sale 19th April 2014
Championship winner Ted O’Sullivan receives the Appelbe Trophy from John Appelbe with Hereford Society judge & President Timmy O’Sullivan and Pat McCarthy IHBS
Kilmallock Sale 25th April 2014
Kilkenny Show and Sale April 2014
Champ Glosterbeg 263, Judge John Canty, owners David,Glen & Davina Lewis with IHBS President Timmy O’Sullivan
Tullamore Show & Sale March 2014
inner Young Handler Class and William J Twomey Memorial Trophy Sarah Murray, Moate, Co Westmeath with Irish Hereford Society President Ivor Deverell
Tullamore Show & Sale March 2014Championship winner Ted O’Sullivan receives the Appelbe Trophy from John Appelbe with Hereford Society judge & President Timmy O’Sullivan and Pat McCarthy IHBSKilkenny Show and Sale April 2014Nenagh Sale 19th April 2014Kilmallock Sale 25th April 2014Champ Glosterbeg 263, Judge John Canty, owner
Irish Hereford Breed Society Ltd 