The Irish Holstein Friesian Association held its premier bull sale in Nenagh during the week with massive success. With a clearance rate of 92%, it went down as one of the best premier sales ever witnessed by the association.
The sale marks a drastic change in trade from the many other pedigree sales which have gone before it this spring, with most recording a drop in average on the year.
While numbers entered were back on the previous year, 24 of the 26 present on the day found new homes. This marks a substantial increase in clearance on past sales, with 2017 recording a 54% clearance while 2016 was only slightly better with 62% of the bulls present selling. Average sale price also witnessed a considerable increase, levelling at €3,100, up from €2,613 in 2017.
It will again go down as a day to remember for Cork breeder John O’Callaghan who as well as celebrating a big birthday on the day went on to claim overall champion, reserve overall champion and the two top prices.
This didn’t only make for a good day but a good week, with O’Callaghan claiming the four top Friesian prices at Kilkenny the previous Wednesday, taking home €17,900 for four bulls.
That top was to be exceeded at the premier sale, however, with the day’s overall champion Mountfarna Jetway selling for €6,100. This October 2016-born bull is sired by Jetstream while the dam is homebred Mountfarna Seaver Fay. Along with ticking the boxes in the show ring, this bull comes with a proven performance pedigree. The highest bull in the catalogue for milk kgs, his VG87 classified dam milked 12,539kg in her second lactation, of which 989kg were solids. With an impressive calving interval of just 344 days, this one was knocked down to Michael Foran.
Exhibiting three on the day, the Mountfarna bulls claimed the top three spots in the second class of the day. Coming second to the overall champion and eventually tapped forward as reserve overall champion was Mountfarna Jetstream. This bull is again sired by the aforementioned Jetstream, this time out of Mountfarna Twist Posy. A VG87 cow, Twist Posy combines style with performance producing a massive 11,855kg in her second lactation at 4.74% fat and 3.55% protein. Jetstream entered on a high after the champion and was knocked down at €5,300 to Alan Larkin.
The final exhibit from Mr O’Callaghan again caused quite a stir. Mountfarna Real Deal, a 15-month-old son of Siemers Mogul Real-Seal, was sold by auctioneer Denis Barrett for €3,300. This bull comes from three generations of cows which produced over 3.7% protein, with the dam Mountfarna Dex Daisy giving 10,658kg in her last lactation.
This marks the second year in a row when the Mountfarna Herd has taken the top two prices at the IHFA’s premier sale.
The IHFA premier sales champion and reserve which both came from the Mountfarna herd. From left, Michael O'Callaghan exhibiting the reserve champion Mountfarna Jetstream which sold for the second top price of €5,300, judge, IHFA CE Charles Gallagher, and breeder John O'Callaghan exhibiting the overall champion Mountfarna Jetway who sold for the days top price of €6,100.The sale also proved a good day’s trading for Henry and Liam O’Keeffe, who sold four bulls to average €3,550. Top of their outfit and claiming the third top price was Radney Raymond, who sold for €5,200. This September 2016-born bull is sired by Peak Mr Grey and is a grandson of Radney QUR Odetta, the standout cow in the 90-cow herd. This cow will be a familiar name to many breeders, having produced well-known AI bull Radney Levi 5. Dam of Raymond is EX91 classified cow Radney DUT Odetta who produced over 11,000kg in her last lactation, at 4.17% fat and 3.71% protein. This one found a new home with John Hanly.
Next best for the O’Keeffes was Radney Neymar, who sold for €3,300. The first bull into the ring, this second prize-winner got the sale off to a flyer. Sired by Goldenfield Raphael, this August 2016-born bull is out of VG87 classified cow Radney RXO Bella. Again out of a 10,000kg-producing cow and carrying an EBI of €149, Neymar was knocked down to Michael Kelly.
Securing a price of €3,600 was the first prize winner Lisnalty Magul 28 from Paul Hannon, Crecora, Co Limerick. Placed first in the youngest class of the day, this Woodmarsh Lucan son is out of Lynbrook LMS Classic. This dam is from a long line of high-yielding cows and gave nearly 14,500kg in her last lactation. Type traits and production to match this one was knocked down to David Noonan.
Overall, it will go down as a very positive day’s trading for the breed, with a further seven bulls on offer making €3,000 or more.
The Irish Holstein Friesian Association held its premier bull sale in Nenagh during the week with massive success. With a clearance rate of 92%, it went down as one of the best premier sales ever witnessed by the association.
The sale marks a drastic change in trade from the many other pedigree sales which have gone before it this spring, with most recording a drop in average on the year.
While numbers entered were back on the previous year, 24 of the 26 present on the day found new homes. This marks a substantial increase in clearance on past sales, with 2017 recording a 54% clearance while 2016 was only slightly better with 62% of the bulls present selling. Average sale price also witnessed a considerable increase, levelling at €3,100, up from €2,613 in 2017.
It will again go down as a day to remember for Cork breeder John O’Callaghan who as well as celebrating a big birthday on the day went on to claim overall champion, reserve overall champion and the two top prices.
This didn’t only make for a good day but a good week, with O’Callaghan claiming the four top Friesian prices at Kilkenny the previous Wednesday, taking home €17,900 for four bulls.
That top was to be exceeded at the premier sale, however, with the day’s overall champion Mountfarna Jetway selling for €6,100. This October 2016-born bull is sired by Jetstream while the dam is homebred Mountfarna Seaver Fay. Along with ticking the boxes in the show ring, this bull comes with a proven performance pedigree. The highest bull in the catalogue for milk kgs, his VG87 classified dam milked 12,539kg in her second lactation, of which 989kg were solids. With an impressive calving interval of just 344 days, this one was knocked down to Michael Foran.
Exhibiting three on the day, the Mountfarna bulls claimed the top three spots in the second class of the day. Coming second to the overall champion and eventually tapped forward as reserve overall champion was Mountfarna Jetstream. This bull is again sired by the aforementioned Jetstream, this time out of Mountfarna Twist Posy. A VG87 cow, Twist Posy combines style with performance producing a massive 11,855kg in her second lactation at 4.74% fat and 3.55% protein. Jetstream entered on a high after the champion and was knocked down at €5,300 to Alan Larkin.
The final exhibit from Mr O’Callaghan again caused quite a stir. Mountfarna Real Deal, a 15-month-old son of Siemers Mogul Real-Seal, was sold by auctioneer Denis Barrett for €3,300. This bull comes from three generations of cows which produced over 3.7% protein, with the dam Mountfarna Dex Daisy giving 10,658kg in her last lactation.
This marks the second year in a row when the Mountfarna Herd has taken the top two prices at the IHFA’s premier sale.
The IHFA premier sales champion and reserve which both came from the Mountfarna herd. From left, Michael O'Callaghan exhibiting the reserve champion Mountfarna Jetstream which sold for the second top price of €5,300, judge, IHFA CE Charles Gallagher, and breeder John O'Callaghan exhibiting the overall champion Mountfarna Jetway who sold for the days top price of €6,100.The sale also proved a good day’s trading for Henry and Liam O’Keeffe, who sold four bulls to average €3,550. Top of their outfit and claiming the third top price was Radney Raymond, who sold for €5,200. This September 2016-born bull is sired by Peak Mr Grey and is a grandson of Radney QUR Odetta, the standout cow in the 90-cow herd. This cow will be a familiar name to many breeders, having produced well-known AI bull Radney Levi 5. Dam of Raymond is EX91 classified cow Radney DUT Odetta who produced over 11,000kg in her last lactation, at 4.17% fat and 3.71% protein. This one found a new home with John Hanly.
Next best for the O’Keeffes was Radney Neymar, who sold for €3,300. The first bull into the ring, this second prize-winner got the sale off to a flyer. Sired by Goldenfield Raphael, this August 2016-born bull is out of VG87 classified cow Radney RXO Bella. Again out of a 10,000kg-producing cow and carrying an EBI of €149, Neymar was knocked down to Michael Kelly.
Securing a price of €3,600 was the first prize winner Lisnalty Magul 28 from Paul Hannon, Crecora, Co Limerick. Placed first in the youngest class of the day, this Woodmarsh Lucan son is out of Lynbrook LMS Classic. This dam is from a long line of high-yielding cows and gave nearly 14,500kg in her last lactation. Type traits and production to match this one was knocked down to David Noonan.
Overall, it will go down as a very positive day’s trading for the breed, with a further seven bulls on offer making €3,000 or more.
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