The spring sales season has come to an end for 2017.

Over the coming weeks, the Irish Farmers Journal will be bringing you in-depth analysis on how each breed performed.

This key information will compare sales on both average and clearance, as well as identify the sires which consistently performed throughout the season, aiding you in sire selection for the coming year. This week, we focus on the Charolais and Hereford breeds.

Charolais

Charolais bulls got off to a flying start when their opening sale saw averages rise by over €500. Overall trade was up on the year, with the Charolais spring bull sale season ending on a high with averages up over €300 on its closing sale in Tullamore.

Doonally New and Pirate-sired progeny continue to sell at the upper end of prices, while Cavelands Fenian also came out strong in the analysis. Altogether these three AI bulls sired 27 bulls between them, amounting to an overall price of €112,440 (€4,164 average).

Cavelands Fenian -Two sons averaged €5,350 at the societys May sale in Tullamore

Overall, 89 young bulls sired by bulls standing in AI were sold for the average price or higher at their respective sales. These 89 bulls sold to average €3,790.

Hereford

The Herefords, similar to other years, and other traditional breeds, started slower. The Tullamore premier saw high prices but a low clearance. This was largely due to the Hereford breed's biggest market, the dairy herd, not needing a bull until later in the season.

As the season progressed, prices got steadier, and were generally slightly up on 2016 levels.

Overall, 18 young bulls sired by bulls standing in AI were sold for the average price or higher at their respective sales. These 18 bulls sold to average €3,367.

Haven Kingpin - Son sold for €4,000 at the May society the sale in Nenagh

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Full series: spring bull sales 2017 review