The Midland and Western Livestock Improvement Society held its March mixed breed sale last Saturday. Clearance rate for the sale stood at 60%, with the two more prominent breeds, Angus and Charolais, averaging at €2,100 and €2,900.

While the sunshine may have brought a good turnout at the ring, their willingness to spend didn’t match.

Bulls which sold in the Charolais ring fared OK, but the clearance ratewas a lot lower than would have been liked.

The Angus trade remained sticky. Close to 70% found new homes, but the average was well back on that witnessed in previous years.

Topping the trade at €4,200 was the pre-sale show reserve Charolais champion Limkiln Leo 2. Bred by Richard Hackett, Clonlara, Co Clare, Limkiln 2 has Doonally New and Pirate in the direct ancestry.

The overall championship was awarded to Breaghwyhill Mickey from Josephine O’Connor. Sired by Excellent and out of a Lyonsdemesne Tzar cow, he changed hands at €4,000.

Rodger McHugh, Boyle, Co Roscommon, realised €3,850 for his November 2015 Prime Lester. Sired by Goldstar Echo and out of a homebred Pirate dam, Lester sold with five stars on both the terminal and replacement indices.

Two more Charolais bulls traded at €3,600. First at the money was Clewbay 12 Liam from Charles Hughes, Co Mayo. Liam was an August 2015 son of Alwent Goldstar, again with Pirate in the back breeding.

At the same money was Jerry O’Keeffe with Grangwood Lollipop Et. Sired by Doonally New, he is out of French import Oceanie and claimed a red rosette at the pre-sale show.

Angus

The Angus section was topped by the day’s breed champion Rabawn Lord Jake S184 from Liam and James Muldowney. Sired by Tubridmore Gizmo and out of a Lissduff Dandy-bred dam, he found a new home at €3,500.

Champion Angus Rawbawn Lord Jake with breeders Liam and James Muldowney.

John and Patrick Farrell awarded the reserve championship to Patrick Mulligan’s Ballydacker Muggins. Sired by Mogeely Joe, Muggins failed to meet his reserve on the day.

A total of nine bulls were purchased by Northern Irish buyers.

Read more

Simmental spring premier bull average soars